It’s been a busy quarter in the media with campaigners featured on the radio, online and in print.
I had barely unpacked my bags from Basecamp (see last issue) when I was on BBC WM questioning spending on easing M42 congestion, arguing that money would better spent on more sustainable forms of transport.
In July I was interviewed by Adrian Goldberg about the news that Birmingham was one of three cities that would not meet EU limits on nitrogen dioxide until 2030. This gave me another opportunity to outline the problems of air pollution and call for greater investment in active transport.
Talk of solutions to air pollution, such as Low Emission Zones, meant I was interviewed twice on BBC WM within a week. We were quoted in the main article in the Birmingham Post on Low Emission Zones on 7th August, making the case for such revenues to be spent on active transport, prompting letters of support from BFoE sympathisers the following week. Our research into Birmingham’s most polluted roads was the most read article on the Birmingham Post website, as well as featuring on the Birmingham Mail website.
Councillor James Hutchings urging us not to forget the motorist, gave us an opportunity to get some letters to the Post on cycling investment. However not as much as comments by Deirdre Alden, who stated that women who wanted to dress modestly wouldn’t cycle, and it was the preserve of young white men. Campaigners got several letters in the Post in response. Cath Palgrave and Shaz Rahman were also in a Birmigham Post feature on diverse cyclists.
It wasn’t just about cycling and air pollution. I was interviewed on BBC WM making the case for food waste collections. Our Waste Campaigner John Newson was quoted in the Post regarding the Council’s Waste & Recycling Scrutiny Inquiry, as well as writing a letter to the Mail about it. The opening of Digbeth Community Garden on 26th July was also reported in the Birmingham Mail with a quote from Jacob Williams as one of the garden volunteers.
Onwards to another busy few months in the media!
Julien Pritchard
“Chance to make brass from muck Council told” Birmingham Post bit.ly/1uYyR02
“New Digbeth Garden is open to residents” Birmingham Mail bit.ly/1Dxeg70
“Birmingham’s most polluted roads uveiled” Birmingham Post bit.ly/1yqBjAk
“Revealed: Birmingham’s worst air pollution hotspots” Birmingham Mail bit.ly/1uYGwvi
“Birmingham’s cycling community hits back after council’s discriminatory claim” Birmingham Post bit.ly/1mQtIXc
“Cyclists proving cycling not discriminatory” Birmingham Post bit.ly/1rmTr9m
