to Mike Webb re nature devastation at Merry Heaven

Dear Mike - Natural Capital Manager, WMCA

Please explain how you "focus on delivery of ‘ true green’ regional level projects working towards nature recovery, improving access to greenspace for the WM people and climate mitigation/adaptation" when you and your colleagues fully support and (I expect) have never uttered a word against:

1. The total destruction of the only public open space at Merry Heaven Shopping Centre with a mighty 400 metre, double track tramway of concrete and steel.  Both have very high greenhouse gas emissions in manufacture to worsen climate calamity and, to hasten that little disaster of ours.
2. The total wipe out of my vertical guerrilla garden on the north wall of High Plateau.  An impressive garden developed since the 1990s.  I think it is magnificent!
3. The partial theft of desperately needed housing land at High Plateau, taken by the tramway.
4. The partial despoilation of Daniels Land, with its possible site of Great Crested newts, where the double track tramway cuts through it to High Street, Brierley Hill.  As here:
   
    WBHE plan for Merry Hill.jpeg

Best wishes

to Mike Bird on opposing Metro extensions

Dear Cllr Mike,

Hundreds of millions spent on Metro and Walsall has gained NOTHING in 40 years of endeavour. 

Please insist that further extensions are scrapped, immediately. 

You were brilliant in speaking out in the Board meeting on Friday. 

Please speak out, privately to whoever at 16 Summer Lane.

Our Edinburgh Conservatives have been quite superb over the years in opposing their two tram projects on grounds of cost. They are right. And you are right, too Mike.

 Edinburgh Conservative Group OPPOSES their tram...

Remember, although I am an eco-socialist, I voted for Andy Street for Mayor on both occasions - 2017 and 2021.

Best wishes

A fight to the death because neither side can afford to lose

Hi Mike

I have re-read this, just now and find it helpful and authoritative.  So thanks!

You wrote at the end, "In my view Russia took the more aggressive response to what was happening in the Ukraine than that of western states."  I did feel in Feb 2014, that it was understandable when Putrid took back Crimea in response to the overthrow of Yanukovich.  I thought that the authorities must have been of the same view because there was no response/sanctions/condemnation of Russia.  But that must have been the start of the war with 14,000 killed in the first 8 years?  Talks, negotiations, give and take over the 8 years went by the board.  A tragic oversight.  A missed opportunity.

Now Russia cannot afford to lose.  Now, the West cannot afford to lose.  Just a fight to the death of everyone with all being losers and ecocide smartly accelerated.

All the best.  Let's hope for the best!