Agenda items for proposed meeting with Kevin O'Keefe, CEO Dudley MBC

 

1. Black Country Cycle-Walk Mudway
2. Housing in line with you all declaring a climate emergency and then doing nothing.
3. Cycle-walkway on the opposite side of Duncan Edwards Way from the tramline.
4. Stourbridge Jct to Round Oak/Harts' Hill by ... ?
5. Why ultra-light rail, VLR, LR and HR all on one mainline HR railway?
6. Urgent repairs to most of Dudley's stiles out in our southern greenbelt/Golden Green Triangle bounded by M5, A456, A491.  I'm so ancient, I'm struggling to climb them even when they are not rickety!
7. West Midlands National Park progress
8. Nice, new Dudley Central Mosque for our Muslim brethren.
9. Dudley Leisure Centre site in Wellington Road
10. Regional Fare-Free Public Transport for all.
11. Is declaring a climate emergency consistent with spending billions of pounds of greenhouse gases on a multi-modal, mass rapid transit public transport system?  This, when it is heavily dependant on steel and cement that have high greenhouse gas emissions.

to Bishop Martin Gorick - does discipleship involve challenging, querying Dudley's decisions?

"The church playing its part in the regeneration of Britain’s heartland in the West Midlands"  Bishop Martin

Would it be possible, please to have a little time with Bishop Martin to discuss the recent past that has brought about these ideas of mine, below?  I was the old man in the yellow cycling jacket that approached you at the close of yesterday's lovely service.

My wife and I attend Hasbury Christian Fellowship in Halesowen.  When Bishop David Walker was in residence, I attended a weekly Bible study over the years that some took turns to host.  It included Bishop's House that David's wife, Sue hosted.

1.   Regeneration of Dudley town centre by encouraging Dudley Muslim Association to go, once again, for a purpose built Dudley Central Mosque.  To replace the shabby, disgraceful looking, down at heel Victorian primary school building they have to use.

2.   Regeneration of Dudley town centre with the reinstated 120 Kms principal mainline railway on the full 56 Kms for the commuter, regional, intercity trains between Worcester, the Black Country and Derby; instead of the 10.7 Kms tram line that is due to go through Dudley bus station and down Flood Street.  Still time for a rethink.

3.   Regeneration of Dudley town centre with highly well insulated, energy efficient, small to medium size housing for the badly housed, for those on benefit or low incomes and, first time buyers and renters.  At Flood Street instead of having the relocated Dudley Leisure Centre from Wellington Road to Flood St.  All of a 1 Km walk away, Google maps told me! 

4.   Responding to the climate emergency by asking for cycle-walkways down both sides of the Dudley Southern Bypass.

5.   The major 22 Kms Black Country Cycle-Walk Mudway for fossil fuel free transport from Brierley Hill DY5 Enterprise Zone to NW Wolverhampton.

6.   Major Jewish/Israeli concern over holocaust denial and antisemitism but much less concern over very poor relationships with Palestinians/Arabs/Muslims.  Would one help the other?

7.   Bishop Martin's opinion on why the railway line between Stratford and Honeybourne was never reopened.  Or, is it more useful as a cycle-walkway, NCR5 and as a main road? 

Any chance, please?  I would like to hear what he thinks.  To get feedback and to see if there is any support for these ideas.  A one off chat about Dudley politics and priorities!  The Bible in one hand and the daily news feed in the other, following Archbishop William Temple.

With best wishes and every blessing to you both