Candidate for Fulwood

I am 44 years old and have been a resident in Nether Green for almost 10 years. I have completed a degree in Physical Geography as a mature student at The University of Sheffield. I am continuing my studies here, and at the University of Cambridge, as a PhD research student working in the area of past climate change.

I am standing because I believe that the Green Party is the only party to realistically address fundamental issues about the environment. I am interested in the very pressing local issues of transport provision, particularly improving local bus services. I have experienced the much improved bus services in London, that use facilities such as electronic prepaid ticketing. These are run by First who insist that these facilities need "trialling" in Sheffield when they run them there quite successfully anyway. I would use best practice from around the country. Also, alternative transport to the car needs promotion to get more people, especially school age children, cycling and walking. The constant stream of 4x4 cars, during term times, to the independent schools in Broomhill, near the area, needs addressing.

Possibly the other great issue facing the Nether Green/Fulwood area is its great surplus income disparity compared with the rest of the city, particularly its eastern suburbs where poverty and ill health are well below UK and EU minimum standards. Recently the electoral ward of Hallam has been quoted as one of the wealthiest areas of the UK. This is unsustainable when other areas of the City have UK high levels of illiteracy, underage pregnancy, death rates due to ill health etc.

I am a keen cyclist and a member of Sheffield Pedal Pushers Cycle Campaign,the University of Sheffield Cycle Forum and the Cyclist's Touring Club of Great Britain. I strongly advocate the reduction of consumerism and the promotion of recycling. I should like to move this city, which is in the dark ages of recycling, onto a par with best practice in other UK cities and the rest of the EU. I also vigorously support local traders and our whole-food co-operatives such as New Roots and Beanies. We should also be extending Farmer's Markets and other urban food growing initiatives.