Access for All funding for Benfleet station

As part of the Access for All programme the Department for Transport has awarded £12109 for Benfleet station; this as part of the Small Schemes Fund. This will be used for the installation of power assisted doors and a push pad door release.

Labour's Parliamentary Candidate, Julian Ware-Lane, welcomed this, saying "I am a great believer that access should be available for all."

"Money spent at Benfleet station, and many other stations across the country, will vastly improve facilities for the disabled, the elderly, and those with buggies and luggage. The 223 stations to have upgraded facilities includes a number of c2c stations", added Julian "and this can only be a good thing."

"Public transport should be an enabler, not a barrier, and this is further progress towards that aim."

The Labour Government has committed £370million to the Access for All programme. This is augmented by a £6.5million commitment to the Small Schemes Fund, which is match-funded towards a total investment of £16.7million by train companies and local authorities.

Julian Ware-Lane welcomes funding for national cycling revolution

Today Julian Ware-Lane called on Castle Point to bid for a slice of the record £140million funding the Government is investing in cycling.

"Labour is working with local authorities, schools and parents to make a real difference to the way people travel, encourage healthier lifestyles and develop more sustainable communities. 

"In Castle Point we can help a generation rediscover their bikes and give children the skills they need to cycle safely and responsibly on our roads.

"Cycling provides an excellent means of exercise and also helps tackle road congestion and pollution.

"Authorities across Essex can now apply to become new Cycle Demonstration Towns and receive money to encourage people onto their bikes and offer local children the chance to be trained to cycle safely.

"I welcome the Government's massive increase in funding for cycling and, working with Cycle England, the commitment to encouraging more people onto their bikes, even more safe links for children to cycle to school and the creation of cycle parking spaces."

 Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Transport said:

"Cycling is good for your health and fitness and helps tackle congestion on the roads and improve local air quality.

"Bikeability training and Cycling Demonstration Towns have proven a great success but we can go further. I hope local authorities will bid for a slice of the £140m funding I've announced, so that more local children are trained and equipped to cycle safely and responsibly, with more towns providing facilities and support to encourage people onto their bikes."

Labour candidate calls for 20mph speed limits near schools

Labour candidate Julian Ware-Lane today called upon Castle Point council to introduce 20mph speed limits near all schools within the borough, where possible.

Julian said: "We are all aware of the dangers of speed. I am worried that we are waiting for a dreadful accident to happen before we do something."

"Roads are far busier today then when I was at school" added Julian. "Children are our precious future and it makes obvious sense to give them the safest environment that we are able to".

When Labour ran Castle Point they began a programme of introducing lower speed limits near schools. This was implemented in Rushbottom Lane, Kents Hill Road, and near Leigh Beck school, for instance. This program has stalled since the Conservatives took over.

"I appreciate that where a school is adjacent to a main road it may not be practical to have a lower speed limit, but most of our schools are not on arterial routes. I would happily support variable limits if these can be introduced safely."

Children often have many distractions and are less aware of the dangers of traffic. At 20mph 95% of pedestrians struck by a car survive. Survival rates drop considerably as speed increase, as many organisations have reported over the years.

Julian believes that for now signage is enough, but will push for traffic calming if these are consistently ignored.

"I am confident that the vast majority of road users are aware of the vulnerability of children. I think 20mph signs would remind them of their responsibilities, as well as reassuring parents and pupils."