News Archive

August 2006

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4th August 2006

Hednesford Shock Bank Closure –
Labour calls for a rethink

Hednesford’s Labour team have heard rumours that the town’s branch of the HSBC bank is to close and are calling on the bank to have an urgent rethink. It is thought that the Branch is to close by the end of the year.

The team are calling on HSBC to clarify the position as a matter of urgency and then to rethink their decision to close the branch.

Hednesford Councillor Gordon Ball said:

“This would be terrible for the community. HSBC is a very busy bank and is right at the heart of the town. Lots of local people have their accounts there. HSBC made £11.5 billion in profits last year and still they want to close our branch – this is Profits before People.”

MP Tony Wright said: “This is a real blow for the town from a multi-national organisation, which has made huge profits from its customers during the past year. I shall be making strong representations to HSBC about it.”

Hednesford County Councillor Sue Woodward said,

“It is a great pity that they could not have let people know in a more open and honest way rather than allowing the news to dribble out via rumour. This has done nothing to allay the concerns of local customers.”

Hednesford County Councillor John O’Leary continued:

“Just at the time when we are starting to see plans for the regeneration of Hednesford the last thing we need is for a major high street name to pull out of the town. We are urging HSBC to rethink their decision to close their branch.”

Hednesford businessman Derek Davis commented:

“I’ve banked in the same bank since I set up my business here over 30 years ago and have never thought about moving my accounts – but I will have to consider that now. Banking outside the town is really not feasible for us, and I am sure the same is true for many other local businesses. We are trying to organise a petition to show our anger at the closure and to call on HSBC to change their mind.”

16th August 2006

Winchester Road extension when the Pye Green Valley development takes place

Cllr Dennis Dixon attended a meeting of the Cabinet at Staffordshire County Council today where he emphasised the necessity of the inclusion of the Winchester Road extension when the Pye Green Valley development takes place. He told the Cabinet that the increase in traffic from the proposed Bridge Inn island down Stafford Lane to St. Josephs School then along East Cannock Road to Eastern Way , once the development takes place, is completely unacceptable to the Labour District Councillors at Cannock Chase and the people on the route.  The Cabinet agreed to take account of his comments as the plans progress.  

Speaking after the Cabinet, Cllr Dixon said “ As the Lib-Dem/Tory coalition at Cannock Chase District Council have approved the development of Pye Green Valley, despite saying that they would not, it is important that the residents along Stafford Lane and the Junior and Infants school at Hill Top are protected from the doubling of traffic which it is expected will be caused by the Pye Green Valley development.  The Labour Party have always said that the Winchester Road extension, from the proposed Bridge Inn Island to the existing end of Winchester Road , which has been planned for over 30 years, is essential if the Pye Green Valley is developed, to relieve the increased traffic along existing roads.”  He added   “ The Lib-Dem/Tory controlled District Council will be receiving around £3 million pounds from the County Council, from the Pye Green Valley, but they are planning on spending it on Rugeley Baths and Cannock Leisure Village and non of this money on Hednesford.  I hope the residents of Hednesford will remember this when they next have the opportunity to cast their vote.”