Welcome to the website of Darlington Liberal Democrats.

Here in Darlington, Liberal Democrats work hard all year round - campaigning for local people. You may have seen our regular Focus newsletters which help us to keep in touch with you. Liberal Democrats believe in openness and accountability. This website reflects that. It will keep you up to date with our local and national campaigns. It also enables you to contact us about local issues and problems.

June 2006: the Liberal Democrats have set up a national Liberal Democrat internet supporters' network. If you would like to show your support for the Liberal Democrats, get regular updates about our activities and participate in e-debates, you can sign up using the on-line form on the right hand side of this Home page.

Street Scene reorganised

Tue 8th Jul 2008

No-one seriously thinks Street Scene is doing a good job. Its creation a couple of years ago, which aimed to save money by making street cleaning and horticultural staff generalists, thus losing the horticultural expertise and tradition for which Darlington was rightly famous, has resulted in a severe decline in standards across the Borough.

Read "Street Scene reorganised" in full (189 words).

U-turn as new school plans approved

Thu 3rd Jul 2008

Plans for the new North Road Primary School have been approved by the Council after last minute changes.

Grass Street Park (photography: Mike Barker)

Read "U-turn as new school plans approved" in full (314 words).

Council undervalues school site?

Thu 19th Jun 2008

Councillor Mike Barker has discovered that the former Harrowgate Hill Infants' School on the border between North Road and Harrowgate Hill wards is up for sale for £1million!

Harrowgate Hill Infant School (photography: Mike Barker)

Read "Council undervalues school site?" in full (266 words).

Albert Road Bridge problems

Sun 1st Jun 2008

The arches under Albert Road Bridge in North Road ward have again become a trouble spot. Gangs of young people gather there, making a lot of noise and leaving litter and broken bottles.

Albert Road Bridge (photography: Mike Barker)

Read "Albert Road Bridge problems" in full (338 words).

All five Post Offices lost

Tue 13th May 2008

All five Post Offices within the Borough which were earmarked for closure are indeed to close, the Post Office announced this morning.

Hopetown Post Office (photography: Mike Barker)

Read "All five Post Offices lost" in full (162 words).

Phoenix Centre opens in North Road ward

Sat 3rd May 2008

The renovation of the old Rise Carr School buildings in North Road ward was completed on time recently. It is now called The Phoenix Centre. It houses the PRU (Pupil Referral Unit) and EOTAS, which stands for "education other than at school".

Phoenix Centre (photography: Mike Barker)

Read "Phoenix Centre opens in North Road ward" in full (174 words).

Cllr Swainston asks, "Why was Cllr Wallis moved?"

Sun 27th Apr 2008

Appropriately enough, since the topic of the day is a road, Cllr Nick Wallis, in the Echo yesterday accused the Lib Dems of "gutter politics" for suggesting that he might bear some of the responsibility for the £1.9m overspend on the Eastern Transport Corridor.

Read "Cllr Swainston asks, "Why was Cllr Wallis moved?"" in full (280 words).

Labour Portfolio holder admits responsibility for budget control.

Sat 26th Apr 2008

Responsibility for the Eastern Transport Corridor was once in the hands of Labour Councillor Nick Wallis, formerly portfolio holder for Transport. Councillor Wallis expressly stated in his blog that responsibility for ensuring the project came in on budget lay with him. He wrote: "Overseeing the completion date and budget will be a key task."

Read "Labour Portfolio holder admits responsibility for budget control." in full (112 words).

Labour Council to blame for £1.9m overspend

Sat 26th Apr 2008

The £1.9m road overspend on the controversial Eastern Transport Corridor has been blamed squarely on the Council. An independent report into the overspend on the ETC reveals the extent of that blame.

Read "Labour Council to blame for £1.9m overspend" in full (329 words).

"Tantamount to Vandalism" says Swainston

Sat 12th Apr 2008

Cllr Martin Swainston's opposition to the plans to demolish Croft House in Hurworth Place are quoted in the Northern Echo. The paper says, "Councillor Martin Swainston has pledged to object strongly to proposals to demolish Croft House in Tess Way, Hurworth Place and build a housing estate.

Outside Croft House (photography: Mike Barker)

Read ""Tantamount to Vandalism" says Swainston" in full (266 words).

Archive of earlier news stories.

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Fiona Hall MEP meets local Lib Dems and cycling campaigners at Darlington Railway Station.

Lib Dem councillors Martin Swainston and Fred Lawton join the High Row demonstration against the Council's policies for Hurworth School and the Town Centre.

Fiona Hall, Liberal Democrat MEP, with local Lib Dem members, campaigning about the Council's failure to meet energy-saving targets.

Expensive, intrusive, inffective. Join the campaign against ID cards.