Leeds Liberal Democrats

A year after the new franchise was announced, Cllr Stewart Golton (Lib Dem, Rothwell), met with Northern Rail to find out the scale and timetable for the promised improvements to the line.

When the franchise changed hands from Arriva to Northern, a slew of announcements were made, promising more trains, running for longer and with more carriages, as well as improvements to the station itself.

A 20mph zone has been agreed for Stone Brig Lane to protect pupils from Rothwell Primary but Cllr Stewart Golton has warned that without enforcement, the zone will be ineffective.

With consultation already complete and signage now created, the zone came into effect as soon as the signs went up. It joined several other 20mph zones already in operation around local schools.

The residents of John O'Gaunts are being encouraged to get their estate's needs formally recognised in writing, by completing the Rothwell Neighbourhood Forum's residents' survey.

Cllr Stewart Golton (Lib Dem, Rothwell) said: "The community on John O'Gaunts have a history of being let down by the council when it comes to estate improvements. Too often an investment programme will start, only to be cut short halfway through leaving half the community short-changed.

Following residents' requests for a shrub bed to be removed on High Ridge Park, Councillor Stewart Golton (Lib Dem, Rothwell) has welcomed news that the proposal has been approved.

Local residents had approached Cllr Golton, concerned about the lack of parking in the area, especially given the proximity of a local nursery and the allotments nearby.

Rothwell councillor Stewart Golton (Lib Dem, Rothwell), has given local community group For Disability Mobility (FDM) £250 so they can keep transporting South Leeds' elderly and training other community transport drivers throughout the city.

FDM provide a community transport service for the elderly or infirm and run a social club, helping to reduce loneliness and social isolation by taking older residents out on trips to places such as West Yorkshire Playhouse, the cinema or even as far out as Chatsworth House and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Local Lib Dem councillor Stewart Golton (Lib Dem, Rothwell) is celebrating the long awaited delivery of a footbridge over the Aire at Skelton Lake near Woodlesford.

The bridge was promised a decade ago but plans were mired when squabbles with the old Coal Authority surfaced over money.

A few years ago, Sustrans were given the task of constructing the bridge with an accessible path, linking the lake to Rothwell Country Park and the Wykebeck Valley Way. The bridge has now been completed, with only a final section of the path to be finished for it to open to the public.

A 20mph zone has been agreed for Stone Brig Lane to protect pupils from Rothwell Primary but Cllr Stewart Golton has warned that without enforcement, the zone will be ineffective.

With consultation already complete and signage now created, the zone is set to come into effect as soon as the signs go up. It joins several other 20mph zones already in operation around local schools.

Lib Dem Councillor Stewart Golton has welcomed the news that the garages on Queensway, off Haigh Road, once demolished, are to be replaced by a communal green space that can be enjoyed by all residents.

After years as a local eyesore, demolition has started and work should be finished on the new communal green area by the summer.

Otley and Yeadon councillors Sandy Lay, Colin Campbell and Ryk Downes have called for more targeted support for parents and families after figures show that nearly a fifth of all ten year olds in Otley and Yeadon are now obese.

The local results also show that Otley and Yeadon ranks in the top ten worst wards in Leeds for obesity in four year olds. Experts have concluded that obesity at such a young age can lead to diseases such as type 2 diabetes and respiratory, heart, bone and joint problems even in childhood, while studies have shown that their lives could be shortened by as much as seven years on average, compared to non-obese people.

Lib Dem councillors Colin Campbell, Ryk Downes and Sandy Lay (Lib Dem Otley and Yeadon) have welcomed news that the design work on the creation of a residential 20mph zone for the Ashfield area of Otley is about to start.

The zone will include all streets between Newall Carr Road and the border with North Yorkshire and by including Ashfield School it will make the roads safer for children and residents alike.