Devon Green Councillor Paula Black questions county council on cycle route and pensions

By PRSD, on Friday, May 20, 2011

Photographs of Devon's Winters Attribution Some rights reserved by Gray Simpson

Devon County Council: Green Devon County Councillor Paula Black is asking the council about a cycle route and Devon pensions with regard to renewable energy

Green Party Devon County Councillor Paula Black will be asking the county council for answers to two questions she is putting forward in the Full Council Meeting.

First, as pressure grows within the community for a safe and easy solution to some of the traffic congestion in Totnes, Paula is asking what actions have the county taken and are planning to take to ensure the completion of the National Cycle Route 2 from Totnes to Newton Abbot using the preferred Sustrans, community, and safest route through to Littlehempston?

Paula told the PRSD: “The road route is long and dangerous, and alternative cycle routes put forward would be only for the keenest cyclist rather than school children and community members.

“We really need an easy solution that can assure those who have fears that this route would be a massive benefit for local businesses able to lock on to the huge development in the green industry in South Devon.

Second Paula is asking how will the Devon Pension scheme ensure that it benefits from a guaranteed goverment backed (the same as bonds) Feed In Tariff by using SW facing County Hall roofs to produce free electricity and a secure return in revenue for pensioners for 25 years?

Paula said: “It seems that pensioners in Devon could be missing out on a good opportunity for a secure revenue stream if the county does not move fast enough to take this scheme forward.

“Even if we just look at the roofs of the buildings of County Hall, the potential is huge as they face South West and would provide an excellent opportunity to create free electricity, and have an income from the Feed In Tariff for our pensioners now and in the future, it’s a win win situation for 25 years that I am hope that the county will see the massive benefits this will create.”

(image: Photographs of Devon’s Winters Some rights reserved by Gray Simpson)