GREEN Party co-leader Sian Berry stopped off in Stratford to see efforts being made in the district to protect the planet.
She visited community run projects, met with Stratford Residents Action Group (SRAG) who are campaigning against the South West Relief Road plans, and spoke to a meeting of over 100 residents about ‘Staying in a Greener Europe’.
At her first stop in Snitterfield she joined recycling volunteers Rubbish Friends, before carrying on to the Heart of England Community Energy solar farm – the largest community-owned solar farm in the country – which generates enough electricity to power 4,500 homes.
Sian said: “It’s great to see the work Rubbish Friends do to keep their streets clean. This is a great example of how communities can come together and lead by example in caring for their local environment.
“The Heart of England Community Energy solar farm is an incredible community project, and a great example of the community-led renewable revolution we are fighting for in the Green Party. Solar power is one of the cheapest and cleanest ways to generate the energy we need, and a perfect example of how we can harness the opportunities of renewable energy to face the future.
“To tackle climate change we must invest in renewables and ditch fossil fuels – it’s great to see local communities leading the way on this where the Government has failed.”
And she backed SRAG’s stance against the planned South West Relief Road – a proposed two-mile road between Shipston Road near Orchard Hill Farm and Luddington Road by the racecourse.
Sian said: “Building more roads won’t solve traffic problems. These are the solutions of the past which failed us then and won’t work now. Roads are bad news for car dependency, our air and the climate crisis. Instead of throwing more money into roads we don’t need it’s time to invest in local rail networks which are better for local communities and the planet.”
Stratford Green Party chair Duncan Parker was pleased to welcome Sian.
He added: “We were delighted to show Sian some of the environmentally-friendly projects around Stratford as well as highlight some potential environmental damage posed by road building.”
