http://www.civicvoice.org.uk/news/ en ian.harvey@civicvoice.org.uk Copyright 2010 2010-09-06T08:19:11+00:00 /news/press-release-making-bath-fit-for-the-future/ /news/press-release-making-bath-fit-for-the-future/#When:08:19:11Z Low Carbon Bath, a joint project of Bath Preservation Trust and Bristol’s Centre for Sustainable Energy, was launched today. The project, supported by Bath and North East Somerset Council, aims to develop guidance for local people and council officers about how the buildings of Bath can be transformed to radically reduce their carbon emissions. Half of Britain’s carbon emissions come from buildings. Reducing these emissions – both to minimise the severity of climate change and to prepare for a future of rising fossil fuel prices – is especially challenging in a city that is famous for the… Civic Societies in the News 2010-09-06T08:19:11+00:00 /news/the-street-names-that-reached-the-end-of-the-road/ /news/the-street-names-that-reached-the-end-of-the-road/#When:08:00:20Z This article appeared in the Sunday Telegraph on 5 September 2010. Read the original article here Dozens of councils across Britain have reported cases of residents changing the names of their street because they are embarrassed by or dislike the one it had been given. For the residents of Bladder Lane, Bent Street or Butt Hole Road, just providing their address could be fraught with potential embarrassment. But the solution for them – and many others left similarly red-faced by their odd-sounding street names – was simply to change the name of the road. Dozens of councils… Civic Voice in the News 2010-09-06T08:00:20+00:00 /news/beverley-civic-society-we-will-clear-the-clutter/ /news/beverley-civic-society-we-will-clear-the-clutter/#When:11:01:33Z Needless signs and clutter which have become a blot on Beverley are being targeted by the civic society and county council. Historic Beverley's streets have become clogged up with unnecessary signs, road markings and other paraphernalia. A clear-up has now been ordered amid concerns that the market town's historic buildings and architectural gems are being obscured by the hotchpotch of 21st century clutter. Mike Hildyard, of Beverley and District Civic Society, said: "People like coming to Beverley because they like walking around and looking at the historic buildings but increasingly you can't see the buildings for… Civic Societies in the News 2010-08-27T11:01:33+00:00 /news/govt-calls-for-clean-up-of-burtons-cluttered-streets/ /news/govt-calls-for-clean-up-of-burtons-cluttered-streets/#When:10:58:30Z BURTON'S streets may be freshened up in the near future after the Government encouraged councils to clear England's cluttered towns. The targets of the call - made by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles - are unnecessary road signs, railings, and advertising hoardings that litter some areas. It comes in an attempt to make streets safer and tidier, as well as maintaining the individual character of the country¡¯s townships and villages. In previous times Burton Civic Society has worked alongside the council to clear the streets of vacant posts and advertising boards that fill railings around the town.… Civic Societies in the News 2010-08-27T10:58:30+00:00 /news/britains-streets-disfigured-by-ugly-road-signs/ /news/britains-streets-disfigured-by-ugly-road-signs/#When:07:30:24Z This article appeared in the Telegraph Online on 24 August 2010. The original article is available here Britain’s streets are being “disfigured” by unnecessary road signs, bollards, posts and railings, campaigners have claimed. The growth of ugly “street clutter” is spoiling the look of Britain’s towns and cities, civic groups said. Councils were accused of wasting millions of pounds on thousands of items of useless “street furniture” that are intended to boost road safety but often cause more accidents than they prevent. A dossier released by the campaign group Civic Voice revealed that guard rails designed… Civic Voice in the News 2010-08-24T07:30:24+00:00 /news/too-many-signs-and-bollards-are-disfiguring-our-streets/ /news/too-many-signs-and-bollards-are-disfiguring-our-streets/#When:05:46:18Z This article appeared in the Daily Mail on 24 August 2010. The original article is available here Streets across the country are being ‘disfigured’ by tens of thousands of unnecessary road signs, bollards, posts and railings, a campaign dossier revealed last night. Civic groups said the rapid growth in ugly ‘clutter’ was blighting otherwise attractive neighbourhoods and high streets. Council health and safety zealots were blamed for wasting millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money on ‘street furniture’ that is intended to prevent accidents but can actually make an area more dangerous. Surveys estimate… Civic Voice in the News 2010-08-24T05:46:18+00:00 /news/horncastle-societys-history-of-civic-duty/ /news/horncastle-societys-history-of-civic-duty/#When:09:21:02Z Horncastle Civic Society was formed by Pearl Wheatley in 1966 when the town's heritage was under threat from various planning decisions. The current chairman Bob Pendell and vice-chairman Bob Wayne felt passionately about the town and so began working with the society upon reaching their retirements.   Read the full story Civic Societies in the News 2010-08-19T09:21:02+00:00 /news/plain-church-gets-its-day-in-spotlight/ /news/plain-church-gets-its-day-in-spotlight/#When:09:18:09Z Fleetwood's Cinderella church is to have its day at the ball. The United Reformed Church been called the most unattractive place of worship in the port. Fleetwood Civic Society has produced a special brochure featuring 13 places of interest and alongside the 19th century buildings crafted by distinguished architects is the slab-sided URC – the brainchild of a local grocer. Read the full story Civic Societies in the News 2010-08-19T09:18:09+00:00 /news/high-speed-rail-grand-projet-with-the-devil-in-the-detail/ /news/high-speed-rail-grand-projet-with-the-devil-in-the-detail/#When:21:08:43Z Government plans for a high speed rail network across England risk being decided without understanding the local impact on townscape, heritage, open space and footpaths which should shape the design speed and route from the outset. This is the message from Civic Voice following debate among dozens of local voluntary civic societies along the possible route between London and Birmingham. In a briefing – HS2 – is it making civic sense? – published today (Thursday 19 August) Civic Voice is asking the Government to address the local impacts of the development in choosing where and how fast… Civic Voice in the News, Press Releases 2010-08-18T21:08:43+00:00 /news/civic-voices-first-ever-agm-8th-and-9th-october-2010/ /news/civic-voices-first-ever-agm-8th-and-9th-october-2010/#When:16:18:29Z We are delighted to announce the dates of Civic Voice's first ever AGM – 8th and 9th October 2010 Read more Civic Voice in the News 2010-08-13T16:18:29+00:00