News

MP Awaits Commencement of Work on Moorpark Big Lottery Fund Project
Following a meeting with representatives of the Big Lottery Fund, Jim Sheridan MP is awaiting the commencement of work on a special initiative which will see a minimum of £1million invested in Moorpark in Renfrew...(Read More).

Jim Sheridan encouraged by Stagecoach’s Amfibus Trial
Local MP Jim Sheridan has today welcomed a proposed trial of an Amfibus next week between Renfrew and Yoker...(Read More).

Renfrewshire MP remembers Holocaust Victims
Local MP Jim Sheridan yesterday pledged his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day by signing a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons to honour those who perished in the Holocaust...(Read More).

Local Politicians dismayed by SPT Decision to Cancel Renfrew Ferry
Renfrew politicians Jim Sheridan & Wendy Alexander have reacted with dismay to the decision of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to approve their budget plan which will end 500 years of history by scrapping the Renfrew Ferry...(Read More).

Nearly 3,000 people say no SPT Renfrew Ferry Plans
Jim Sheridan MP, Wendy Alexander MSP and local campaigner Liz Grant met with the Chair of the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Alistair Watson today to hand over a petition with 2,754 signatures from local people opposed to plans to withdraw the Renfrew Ferry...(Read More)

Campaign to Save the Renfrew Ferry Gets Underway
The campaign to the save the threatened Renfrew Ferry was launched yesterday. Due to budget cuts the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport committee are proposing to end the subsidy to this service which sails between Renfrew & Yoker...(Read More).

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MP Awaits Commencement of Work on Moorpark Big Lottery Fund Project
5th February 2010

Following a meeting with representatives of the Big Lottery Fund, Jim Sheridan MP is awaiting the commencement of work on a special initiative which will see a minimum of £1million invested in Moorpark in Renfrew.

Speaking from his constituency office the Labour politician said, “This is a truly significant investment and I am pleased that work will soon commence in Moorpark as part of the Big Lottery Fund’s ‘Our Place’ programme. This initiative will provide lottery investment in an area which has sadly not seen the expected level of grants over the past three years. ‘Our Place’ is a pilot scheme for a new way of working for the Big Lottery Fund, which will see the BLF and communities working more closely together to stimulate demand and ensure that the needs and aspirations of local people are reflected in the lottery funding they receive. I think that this is important as Lottery funding should be about what the community wants and needs.”

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Jim Sheridan encouraged by Stagecoach’s Amfibus Trial
4th February 2010

Local MP Jim Sheridan has today welcomed a proposed trial of an Amfibus next week between Renfrew and Yoker.

Speaking from Westminster the Renfrew politician said, “Stagecoach’s Amfibus can travel by both water and road, will be put on a two-day trial between Renfrew and Yoker next Monday. Whilst not open to fare-paying passengers during the trial it would seem that Stagecoach have seen the continuing demand for a river crossing. The planned withdrawal of the SPT run Renfrew Ferry is a bad blow and keeping a river crossing in some capacity is most welcome.”

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Renfrewshire MP remembers Holocaust Victims
28th January 2010

Local MP Jim Sheridan yesterday pledged his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day by signing a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons to honour those who perished in the Holocaust.

Holocaust Memorial Day which takes place each year on 27th January marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and extermination camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Speaking after adding his name to the Book of Commitment Mr Sheridan said, “Holocaust Survivors are extraordinary people. We have a duty to them to pass on the lessons of the Holocaust to future generations. Holocaust Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of Holocaust Survivors, to commemorate the millions who died under Hitler’s regime and to commit to a future free from racism and discrimination.”

Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said “We are delighted that Jim Sheridan is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day. Remembering and learning about the Holocaust is more important now than ever before. This year’s theme, ‘The Legacy of Hope’ highlights the important role young people have to play in taking the Survivors’ mantle forward and educating their peers about the Holocaust.

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Local Politicians dismayed by SPT Decision to Cancel Renfrew Ferry
22nd January 2010

Renfrew politicians Jim Sheridan & Wendy Alexander have reacted with dismay to the decision of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to approve their budget plan which will end 500 years of history by scrapping the Renfrew Ferry.

On hearing the decision the Labour MP said, “This is very disappointing. I had hoped that given the strength of feeling demonstrated by the people of Renfrewshire that the SPT would have seen this proposal as a mistake and reconsidered their position. The SPT are required by statute to produce a balanced budget and whilst recognising this would have preferred if alternatives to closing the ferry could have been brought forward. I am still investigating alternatives including private financing and assure the people of Renfrew that I will do all I can to keep the ferry going in some capacity.”

Wendy Alexander MSP said, “This short-sighted decision is a slap in the face to everyone who campaigned to keep the Ferry link. It is a second big blow after the axing of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link. I am calling on Scotland’s Transport Minister to step in. The Scottish Government saved £175m when the axed G.A.R.L. Just a tenth of this would pay for a new footbridge over the river and one twentieth of this could keep the Ferry open. It is time to stop ripping off Renfrewshire.”

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Nearly 3,000 people say no SPT Renfrew Ferry Plans
22nd January 2010

Jim Sheridan MP, Wendy Alexander MSP and local campaigner Liz Grant met with the Chair of the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Alistair Watson today to hand over a petition with 2,754 signatures from local people opposed to plans to withdraw the Renfrew Ferry.

At the meeting local MP Jim Sheridan said “There is tremendous strength of feeling amongst local people in Renfrew that this ferry link should he retained. To secure so much support in only five days is remarkable and I am determined that the SPT should look at alternatives to closing the Renfrew Ferry and I am happy to work with and facilitate any opportunities including involving the private sector which will keep the Ferry going.”

The decision due later today at a public meeting and local campaigner Liz Grant said when handing over the petition, “I am pleased that Alistair Watson has agreed to listen to local concerns but I remain concerned. I am grateful to all the people of Renfrew and the surrounding areas for supporting the campaign and signing the petition despite the short time-scale and I would still encourage people to show support for our towns Ferry.”

Wendy Alexander MSP said, “I want to pay tribute to everyone who signed the petition - 2,800 in Renfrew shops and online in just four days. We started on Sunday and handed it to SPT bosses this morning. SPT owes it to the people of Renfrew to explore every option to retain a ferry link.”

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Campaign to Save the Renfrew Ferry Gets Underway
18th January 2010

The campaign to the save the threatened Renfrew Ferry was launched yesterday. Due to budget cuts the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport committee are proposing to end the subsidy to this service which sails between Renfrew & Yoker.

Speaking at the Renfrew Ferry terminus local MP Jim Sheridan who is supporting the campaign said, “We are genuinely concerned that if we loose this service then it could have a serious consequence for the travelling public in Renfrewshire. People’s jobs could be affected as could the local economy. That is why we are petitioning the SPT to explore any alternatives including seeking extra funding from the Scottish Government. Freezing council tax may initially be a vote winner but we in Renfrewshire are now seeing the consequence of this policy with severe cuts in our public services. We are therefore calling on all interested parties to pull together in order that this vital service is retained in some capacity.”

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