ROADSIDE VEHICLE SALES DRIVE RESIDENTS AROUND THE BEND AND UNDERMINE LEGITIMATE BUSINESS

Bob Ainsworth – Member of Parliament for Coventry North East – was contacted towards the beginning of last year by local residents who were concerned about the ongoing sale of motor vehicles on the roadside in Sewall Highway.

At the time, residents complained that traders had been “illegally” selling vehicles from the roadside in Sewall Highway for the past 7 to 8 years and despite their numerous complaints, they said that the authorities had done little to nothing to resolve the situation.

Bob agreed to take the matter up with both Coventry City Council and West Midlands Police on behalf of local residents and accordingly wrote to both agencies. Bob received a response from the Council on the 23/02/10, in which they stated that they were aware of the ongoing problems in Sewall Highway and they would work in conjunction with the Police, VOSA, DVLA and Trading Standards, along with the local residents themselves, in an attempt to resolve the problem and tackle any illegality.

However, the problem still persists and vehicles continue to be sold from the road side in Sewall Highway, with local residents claiming that the situation has now reached “ridiculous” proportions. They have therefore contacted Bob again to seek further assistance.

One resident of Sewall Highway said:

“The situation is now becoming ridiculous. We now have at least 12 cars for sale all lined up like a showroom and constantly changing, all within about 200 yards of each other”.

Bob said:

“This is a longstanding problem, not just in Sewall Highway but in other parts of the city too and it is clearly causing great inconvenience to local residents.

“The last time that I contacted the Council they clearly did something because the situation improved for a period of time. Unfortunately, it now appears that the problems are back and are worse than ever. I know this is difficult to police, but legitimate business is being undermined and residents are being inconvenienced. So I and local residents would like the assistance of the media to highlight this issue.

“I have written to the Police and the Council again urging them to take whatever action they can to resolve the situation.

BOB AINSWORTH MP SECURES PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON RICHARD LEE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Bob Ainsworth – Member of Parliament for Coventry North East – has secured an adjournment debate in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 15^th March 2011 at 12:30pm – 1pm to highlight the state of the school building at Richard Lee Primary School.

The debate will give Bob the opportunity to outline to Ministers the full scale of the appalling conditions that teachers and pupils are having to work and learn in and, it will ensure that a Minister from the Department of Education is forced to respond to the concerns of teachers, parents and pupils.

 Bob said:

 “The school building is in an appalling state of disrepair and is nearing the end of its limited lifespan; as a result any remedial works that are undertaken can only ever be temporary.  The only way to permanently resolve the ongoing maintenance problems at the school is through a full rebuild. 

 “Unfortunately, Coventry City Council cannot commit to building a new school for Richard Lee pupils until Ministers provide clarification of future funding allocations from central government for education capital projects.  

 “I will therefore be pressing the Minister during the debate to remove the uncertainty surrounding future funding, which at present is forcing pupils to be taught in atrocious conditions.

 “Since becoming Heateacher, Nicola Harwood has done a fantastic job at Richard Lee School and I will continue to work with her and local councillors on behalf of the pupils, parents and teachers at the school”.