The Campaign to Protect Rural England, recently formed a Manchester District Group at a meeting held in the Town Hall in Manchester on the evening of 3 June.
A committee of ten officers and members from varying environmental backgrounds came together under the chairmanship of Steven Jones, a transport campaigner. The group has representatives from the Civic Society, Gorton Forum, GMTAG, Friends of Swinton Grove Park, Friends of Debdale Park, Salford University, Emerge Recycling and Brookdale Park Users Group. We also had representation from Manchester Metropolitan University, Greater Manchester Pedestrians Association, EN4M, MERCi, Friends of Sunny Brow Park, First Asian Support Trust, Friends of Fallowfield Loop, Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign and Withington Civic Society.
The group will be looking at a number of issues relating to the protection of our environment (including the urban environment!). The group aims to play an important role in safeguarding the green open spaces. The group is also looking into campaigns for such things as access, sustainable local foods and waste recycling, which we feel are part of the process which contributes to an improved quality of life and limits destructive developments. We also campaign to put decent housing where it is needed, jobs within reach and a safe, affordable, integrated public transport system to service them.
Peter Mallon, CPRE (01772 456181, peterm@lancashirecpre.freeserve.co.uk)