Petition Tag - gate

UPDATED VERSION (April 21, 2010)

The medieval Eastgate in the historic town of Warwick has been sold. The auction took place on Wednesday April 14 at 6pm. The Grade-II listed property had a guide price of £125,000. It was not possible at short notice to persuade Warwick District Council or any other public body to attempt to take it over, and it was sold by auction for £215,000 to a professional surveyor, Mr Robert Newman, who himself lives near Warwick in a listed building. He has stated that he intends to repair it and initially use it as a holiday flat, with a view to eventually living in it himself with his wife.

Eastgate has seen many changes since it was first part of the defensive system of the town in the twelfth century. The small chapel of St. Peter's perched on top of it, dated to the mid 15th century, but was in a ruinous state by 1571. The ancient monument’s clock tower is difficult to access and repair has been neglected, resulting in the clock permanently standing at seven minutes to three. Its three large rooms from 1879 until recently were used as classrooms by the adjoining King’s High School for Girls.

The structure, claims the Warwick Society, is ‘iconic’, and important in its own right, as an old town gate and a chapel, and as a symbol of the town’s character. It is, they say, self-evidently in poor condition, badly affected by traffic swirling round it, with limited access and unusual accommodation, and it has no clear and economically viable future use. But they still have hopes it can be saved for the town. Their main concern appears to be that nobody will be able to afford the cost of upkeep in these straitened times.

May I express my thanks to those people who signed this petition about Warwick's East Gate, and for the many messages of support. Since the building has now been sold to a private bidder, the request to the Council to negotiate to buy it has become irrelevant. However, the petition will still be presented to the Council on my behalf by Councillor Elizabeth Higgins at their meeting on 28th April. The emphasis however, is now on the part of the petition that asks them to ensure that the building is not allowed to deteriorate, and ensuring that repairs are appropriate and in keeping with the building's historical status. This, I hope, can be done by the right kind of dialogue with the new owner. I have already had a meeting with the Council, and had assurances on this point.

It only remains to wish the new owner the best, and hope that he will look after the building in the way most Warwickians and our many sympathisers would want.

THIS PETITION HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED AND IS DUE TO BE PRESENTED AT A WARWICK DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING ON 28TH APRIL, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE OUTCOME OF THE AUCTION.

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WHEREAS:

1. The United Nations through the auspices of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have formed an opinion that global warming, is increasing at an alarming rate and that global warming is primarily caused by human activity namely the production and emission of Carbon Dioxide;

2. The said Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s opinion is primarily based largely on data, computer programs, and opinions obtained from the East Anglia University Climate Research Unit;

3. Recent disclosures of the emails and files of the said East Anglia University Climate Research Unit has created a reasonable doubt as to the accuracy of the data employed and the viability of the computer modeling methodology employed; the objectivity of the scientists who provided data, graphs, statistical analysis, and opinions to the said Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;

4. Recent disclosures of emails and files of the Said East Anglia University Climate Research raise reasonable doubts as to the accuracy and objectivity of the Reports of the said Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;

5. Adoption of policies recommended by the United Nations on Climate Change will necessitate:
a. A huge increase in energy costs for Canadian Citizens;
b. Adoption of public policies and programs which will place Canadian Industries and Businesses at a competitive disadvantage on the international market;
c. Adoption of public policies and programs which will require the transfer of large amounts of wealth from Canadian Citizens, Businesses, and the Public Purse to foreign governments;
d. Adoption of public policies and programs which will jeopardize the sovereign right of Canada as a nation to formulate its own energy and environmental policies;

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We are working together to remove the gate at Technology Drive and Saguaro Boulevard.

The gate impedes commercial traffic and potential customers from the businesses located on Technology; specifically U-Haul, Fire Rock Commerce Park, Vans Storage, Bercel Builders, and RE Monks.

The gate is not recognized by MapQuest or Google - therefore many large commercial vehicles end up on Saguaro Boulevard wondering how they are going to make a delivery/pickup from one of these businesses. A large Semi trying to turn around in this area is extremely difficult, they must travel further into the residential area of Fire Rock Ridge and attempt to turn the vehicle around at Last Trail Drive.

We have also seen these large trucks attempting to manuever through the alley way (so they do not have to turn around and go back to Shea).
The residents along Saguaro Blvd. are also prevented access to the Target Center from Saguaro; they must go down to Shea and either do a U-turn or travel west on Shea to the other entrance.

By opening this gate it simplifies the traffic flow, not only allowing customers to readily access these businesses, but also providing a safer (less round about way) to them.

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Officially, Transport for London and Southern Railways are closing the entrance to the Sydenham Station Platform One, in preparation of the introduction of the Oyster Card system. Unofficially, they are too tight-fisted to pay for a second barrier.

At many London Underground or DLR stations passengers can “touch in” to a new Oyster Card reader - our preferred solution - but they don’t trust Sydenham residents.

So, if you have ever struggled to carry a case or pram from Platform Two, have limited mobility, or just don’t like climbing stairs – you have a choice: Either you can do nothing, and within the next few weeks you will lose this entrance for ever – or you can fight the proposal.

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Friar Gate Bridge was built by Andrew Handyside & Co, of Derby, in 1876. The railway line closed in 1967, and the Grade II listed bridge was left to fall into disrepair.

It was eventually sold by British Rail to Derby City Council for a pound, when it was handed over, the bridge was freshly painted and in excellent condition.

The transaction was carried out on the promise that the bridge should be maintained in good condition in perpetuity. This agreement has not been kept.

Derby City Council have an obligation to maintain the bridge.

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