Blog Number 10

The economic and environmental practices of most resident of the ward/SOA that I live in comply with the definition of sustainable community. About 75% of the overall population is economically active. This is in line with the national average of people who are contributing to the administration of the country. Many of the residents work in the government departments responsible for sustainable issues.

There is however other issues that the Area does not measure as well as the rest of the country. For instance there is no hostel to provide temporary social accommodation to those in need. This compared about 1,677 hostels in the south east of England. The ward also does not have a nursing home to provide accommodation for the elderly. It means therefore that residents will have to travel away from the ward in order to find a nursing home.

There isn’t sufficient public transportation in the ward. Only 60.28% of the population uses public transport. The remaining 39.72% depend on their own transportation. Government departments responsible for issues around sustainability encourage more use of public transport in order to help reduce population and be able to meet targets for carbon emission. However the absence of public transport will make it difficult for residents of the ward to embrace the campaign over these issues. This is evidence in the quality of air in the ward whereby in 2004 it was 1.10, and rose to 1.11.

Blog Number 8

The constituency in which I live - Milton Keynes South West
My local MP - (Phyllis Starkey, Labour)

The name of my local council - Milton Keynes
Which political party dominates my local council – Liberal Democrat

As the 2010 election draws nearer, politicians especially the main party leaders are beginning to make us identify with their party, and make us give our votes to them. I think some people are turned off from voting because of promises made by the parties which will not be kept once in power. Although I believe everyone eligible should vote, but I respect people’s choices if they chose not to.

I believe a new government should seek to maintain a healthy budget for the provision of education so as to give every child in Britain a chance and choice to be able to progress in life. I will also like to see the next government maintain training for NHS workers in order to avoid what happened in the 90s, whereby there was shortage of health workers. I believe the National Health Service is a key issue which need to be addressed properly. Proper plans need to be made to sustain the provision of health services for the people of Britain. Leadership quality of the leaders, and members of the cabinet to be will be another key thing that will help me to make a choice of who I vote for.

Blog Number 6 & 7

Researchers and experts believe there are strong theoretical expectations that all or a part of a transport cost reduction will lead to economic impacts outside the transport sector.

Transport enables individuals to move from one place to another, to go to work or to participate in social life and it also facilitates the movement of commercial goods. Transport supports the financial and social development not only of individuals but of whole regions. Therefore it is indispensable in this day and age and the demand for it is growing worldwide.

Apart from all its positive effects transport also has several adverse effects on our health and on the environment. The World Health Organisation estimates that about 600,000 people die every year in road accidents and about 50 million people are seriously injured.

I believe some technical issues such as lower fuel consumption -which is particularly significant in light of the current high oil prices, low-weight vehicles or hybrid concepts can improve energy efficiency in the transport sector. Also alternative fuels like bio fuels or hydrogen, are interesting in terms of their potential to increase levels of renewable energies used. These issues and an enhancement of Public Urban Transport are the issues I believe will help make our present transport system more sustainable.