Candidates battle it out at Broxtowe borough hustings

CAR park charges, the redevelopment of Beeston town centre and the tram dominated the agenda at the Broxtowe Borough Council hustings this week.

Organised by the Nottingham Post, candidates standing in the local election battled it out in front of a 60-strong audience at the New Venture Social Club in Beeston on Thursday night.

Broxtowe, which is currently a Lib-Lab coalition, is a marginal council and all parties have strong hopes of increasing their seats on May 5.

Car park charges were recently introduced in Beeston, Eastwood, Kimberley and Stapleford – and have been subject to some local opposition.

Labour candidate Steve Barber, who is standing in Beeston Rylands, said: "We were hardly left with any choice. It is not an excessive charge."

And Liberal Democrat candidate David Watts, who is standing in Bramcote, added: "It's a necessary evil. I'd rather we didn't have them but they bring in �700 a day."

But Conservative candidate Richard Jackson, who is standing in Chilwell West, promised to "address" the charges if the Tories control of the council.

He said: "People came into Beeston because you had free parking, you've now lost that.

"We want to improve town centres; Eastwood, Stapleford and Kimberley are also suffering.

"We want to address car park charges as soon as we can afford to."

Green candidate Paul Anderson, who is standing in Beeston West, also attended the event. He argued Broxtowe needs to rebuild its local economy, with regional banks and local bonds available for communities and councils.

He added: "If you let the Green Party win you could be like Huddersfield – solar panels on hundreds of homes, insulation in houses."

Mr Anderson stressed he supported the new tram extension but had reservations about the chosen route, arguing it failed to connect with Beeston station and the Boots site, which is set to become an enterprise zone for new businesses.

But Mr Barber, who has fought hard for the tram extension to Chilwell and Clifton, said a bus service will link these sites.

And Mr Watts added: "At the moment, Beeston town centre is not in a good state.

"The investment that will come with the tram will ensure we can redevelop it."

However Mr Jackson said he was yet to hear a convincing argument about the tram.

"I've long had the view it's not right for Beeston; it's not necessary, we've got a very good bus service," he said.

Candidates also discussed a range of issues including the Big Society and public spending cuts as well as the future of domestic violence services and the Middle Street Resource Centre.

Coming up...

FUTURE Nottingham Post   events (all at 7.30pm):
Rushcliffe: April 18, Trentside Social Club, Wilford Lane.
City (Lenton Abbey and Wollaton East): April 20, St Mary's Church Hall in Wollaton Hall Drive.
City leaders' debate: April 26, St Barnabas' Cathedral Hall, Derby Road.

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