What has Labour achieved?

During our time in opposition we have continued to keep the environment on the agenda
– raising issues such as the reduction in recycling rates, energy saving and anti-litter
campaigns. Labour activists and Councillors have worked with residents for years to
improve our green spaces:

■ in residential areas – including Wych Elm Drive, Eagle Rec, Ford’s
Field/Shrublands, Midland Oak, Black Lane, Priory Park and St Mary’s Lands
■ in some of our key parks such as the Pump Room Gardens, Christchurch
Gardens, St Nicholas Park and Victoria Park
■ with clean up campaigns – STAG in Sydenham, BRAG in Brunswick, at Fallow Hill,
along the Canal, at Black Lane
Labour played a key role in the new traffic management plan in Warwick and have been
lobbying for improved air quality measures in Leamington.
Alongside our Labour County Council colleagues, we have created dedicated, safe
cycle-routes across Warwick, improved footpaths and safe routes to schools and
additional pedestrian crossings at key points in Warwick and South Leamington.

What are the environmental challenges?

Some small steps are at last being taken by this Council to clean up our environment but
much more needs to be done to tackle the effects of Climate Change:

■ air quality in parts of Warwick District is some of the worst in the country (largely
caused by vehicular traffic)
■ the District has higher than national average use of cars for work and school
journeys and a very high proportion of private non residential parking which is
generally free and encourages work trips by car.
■ loss of trees and green spaces with new developments; existing trees are not
well-managed
■ fuel poverty is too high in many areas across the District
■ percentage of waste being recycled locally has dropped from 56% to 53%
■ the important drive against excess use of plastics has only just begun

What will Labour do if elected?

In response to recent public concern, and as Labour has already done nationally, a Labour led Council would declare a Climate Emergency and work cross party and with others to make Warwick District a sustainable, carbon neutral environment. 

■ channel efforts into our residential community parks and gardens and not just
focus on improving our destination parks
■ work with health and voluntary bodies to make greater use of green spaces to
promote healthy living, reduce mental health issues and share our history
■ ensure public water fountains are installed where needed across the District
■ review how recycling is incentivised, monitored and delivered, before the
collection contract is re-let in 2021
■ assist tenants and other residents in fuel poverty to cut their energy bills and
emissions; this will include faster energy-efficiency upgrades on Council housing
stock than currently planned
■ implement policies to encourage green walls and roof gardens, and rooftop solar
panels on Council owned buildings
■ support tree planting and ensure mature trees are properly managed and are
protected on new developments and Council land
■ require all projects and contracts with the Council to undergo a full ‘green’
assessment – taking into account vehicle types, localised contracts, green
transport plans and waste minimisation
■ ensure all new Council buildings (including housing) will be designed to minimise
their whole life environmental impact
■ work with County Councillors and officers to promote a joint transport plan to
create a healthier environment by reducing car use and congestion in our towns:
– develop with local business the characteristics of the traffic environment
needed to maintain viable town centres
– allow only pollution-free buses on town centre streets
– develop new safer cycle routes e.g. to town centres, between towns, from
Kenilworth to Leamington and from all secondary schools
– establish a Leamington transport hub near the station
– develop better bus routes, timetables and fares and improve traffic flows at
pinch points like Bath St and Prince’s Drive in Leamington and Warwick Road,
Kenilworth
– install electric charging points at five percent of off street public parking spaces
and increase the number as the proportion of electric vehicles increases
– promote car share schemes