Media Release

media release

everyone - Scotland's environment groups campaigning together (500,000 supporters, 25 organisations, ONE voice)

Midlothian’s Environmental Record: Could Do (a lot) Better?

Tuesday 15th April 2003

Midlothian residents get their chance to quiz candidates from all the political parties on local environmental issues like building on the greenbelt, cuts in public transport and why their council has one of the worst recycling rates in Scotland, in a hustings on April 22nd. (4)

The Greenbelt Alliance, (3) Friends of the Earth Scotland, working in partnership with Scottish Environmental LINK, (1&2) host a local hustings in Loanhead Town Hall ( 5) next Tuesday at 7pm.

An impressive list of candidates is lined up including Jacquie Bell (Lib Dem), Rhona Brankin (Labour), Colin Fox (SSP), Robin Harper (Green), Rosemary McArthur (Conservative), Margo McDonald (Independent) and Graham Sutherland (SNP).

Everyone is invited to ask questions and listen to what they have to say on issues that affect our local community. This is your opportunity to ask your local candidates what they intend to do to improve the lives of the people of Midlothian and the surrounding local environment.

Contact details:

Joan Higginson, Greenbelt Alliance. Tel No: 01968 675109
Joan.Higginson@btopenworld.com

Kirstie Shira, Parliamentary Officer, Friends of the Earth Scotland. Tel No: 0131 554 9977
kshira@foe-scotland.org.uk

Jessica Pepper LINK Parliamentary Officer. Tel. No: 0131 225 4345. Fax 0131 225 3230
Jessica@scotlink.org

Notes for the Editor:

1. The ‘everyone’ campaign is an initiative from Scottish Environment LINK. Some 26 organisations with nearly half a million supporters are combining forces to push the environment up the agenda in the run up to the Scottish Parliamentary elections on May 1st. 86% of Scots think that the environment is an important political issue and it is vital that the politicians take time to really listen to what the electorate want.

2. The ‘everyone’ campaign features demands for a better environment with specific measures for clean air, healthy seas, safe food, less landfill, protection for wildlife and wild places, reduction in climate changing gases. It also features a campaigning website for supporters to target candidate MSPs directly. For further information, background briefings and the complete listings go to http://www.everyonecan.org/

3. Greenbelt Alliance. The greenbelt alliance is an umbrella organisation
promoting immediate and long-term protection of the greenbelt through
community action.

4 a) The greenbelt is under a lot of pressure from various sources. The Scottish Executive sees Edinburgh’s expansion as desirable and the erosion and future development of the greenbelt is becoming more apparent. Midlothian sees the building of the new dual carriageway of the A701 between Straiton and Penicuik as a strategic transport and development corridor and the developers can see the economic benefits of building on the greenbelt.
b) Midlothian cut the bus subsidies in June of last year, which has left many local people stranded because of the lack of or shortage of bus service. This has led to frustration and anger as many people have only public transport to get about. Only 38% of people own a car.
c) Midlothian recycles 3.8% of its waste and the other 96.2% goes to landfill.
The Borders region recycles 12% and the Scottish average is 4.9%.
d) The lack of proper and meaningful consultation has left many people feeling disenfranchised within the planning and development process that help shape our communities future.

5 Loanhead Town Hall Academy Lane Loanhead. Tel No: 0131 448 2110