Councillor Heilbron has raised pressing concerns regarding the current capacity challenges faced by Sunday tram services on the Eccles/MediaCityUK Metrolink line.
Our investigation into the proposed redevelopment of Regent Retail Park has uncovered a series of alarming issues that threaten to overwhelm local infrastructure, displace vital services, and ignore the needs of our community.
Some may recall Boris Johnston’s hopelessly optimistic plans for street parties to celebrate Brexit Day. One wonders if Donald Trump harbours similar ambitions for a Liberation Day public holiday in future.
Tom Morrison MP, a lifelong Liverpool fan, urges the Government to honour its promise to introduce the Hillsborough Law before the 36th anniversary. Victims’ families deserve justice—no more delays, no more cover-ups.
Waverley Conservatives have been caught red-handed spreading misinformation about Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charges on homeowners — and it's time to set the record straight.
Liverpool Lib Dems have uncovered Labour’s attempt to deceive voters. Local residents shocked that Labour Councillors try to claim credit for work of community campaigners. Cllr Carl Cashman: “Labour Councillors should apologise to residents
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy Security and Net Zero, called on the government to provide incentives for energy providers to develop solar power in the UK.
Mrs Hobhouse slammed the government for falling behind on meeting the UK’s renewable targets for solar energy capacity. The government plans to deploy 70 GW of solar power across the country by 2035. However, as of 2022, the UK had only installed 14.3 GW of solar pv.
Following a visit to a rooftop solar system installed by Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) at Beechen Cliff School last year, Wera Hobhouse is keen to encourage the development of similar solar projects across Bath. The solar system is predicted to significantly cut the school’s fuel costs and reduce their carbon emissions by 52 tonnes a year.
In the House of Commons on the 27th February, the Bath MP noted that the UK is lagging behind the rest of the world in renewable energy investment, she urged the government to offer incentives to energy providers to improve solar capacity.
However, Andrew Bowie, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, ignored Hobhouse’s proposals, failing to describe the ways in which the government could incentivise solar energy. Instead, Bowie said that the government’s Solar Taskforce would publish recommendations for solar power and reiterated the government’s target to deploy 70 GW by 2035.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy Security and Net Zero, commented:
“The Conservatives are falling dangerously behind on meeting our targets for renewable energy production. It is no good the government setting an ambitious 70 GW solar target if they are nowhere near reaching it.
“It is clear that they have no plan to get us back on track to reach Net Zero. Evidently, they are more than happy to dismiss perfectly good proposals like incentivising solar power. That is why I am so proud that Bath is home to many community energy projects like the solar system at Beechen Cliff School, so that we can lead the way in renewables.”
“It is not just our climate targets harmed by the Conservatives’ delay. Families in Bath and across the country are struggling to pay soaring energy bills which investment in renewables could curb. That is why we Liberal Democrats would build significantly more renewable energy, aiming to generate 80% of our electricity from renewables by 2030.”
Peter Capener, Managing Director of Bath & West Community Energy said:
“Our work with schools is really demonstrating the value of community energy in both addressing the climate crisis and reducing fuel bills. Rooftop solar installed last year has already saved local schools a combined total of £134,209 and has reduced carbon emissions by 224.3 tonnes, which is equivalent to 12,173 journeys from Bath to Edinburgh by train!”
