Ashley is Labour’s candidate for Castle in the 2012 City Council elections.
A committed environmentalist, Ashley says: ‘I admire the pride that our community has in the city and residents’ enthusiasm for protecting our green spaces and for preserving the history and culture of Cambridge.”
Councillor Adam Pogonowski (Abbey Ward) who is Cambridge City Council’s sole Green Councillor has joined the Labour Party – more details here
He campaigned to ‘Keep Marshall Flying in Cambridge’ and to protect the disabled-access toilets in Lion Yard. Ashley is also a keen cyclist and regularly attends Cambridge Cycling Campaign meetings.
He fought the Tory-Lib Dem decision to scrap Educational Maintenance Allowance. Ashley said, ‘In Cambridge, EMA helps hundreds of students to carry on their education. Education should be their right, but the abolition of EMA is quickly taking it away.’
Ashley campaigned on plans for the former garage site on Histon Rd. He worked with local Arbury councillor Mike Todd-Jones to help keep residents informed on the process. He supported the rejection of original plans due to poor quality building frontage on Histon Rd. He believes all redevelopments should reflect the character of the area and have the highest quality design and materials.
All year round, Ashley Walsh and Castle Labour Party visit local residents to discuss their concerns:
- drinking and drug-use on Histon Road Rec.
- insufficient lighting in the city centre.
- litter and dog foul on streets on Castle Hill and off Huntingdon Road
- residents want better cycle paths and parking
- residents demand a voice in the university development
- local infrastructure must keep up with the development of the area and green spaces should be protected
- affordable housing is crucial
- residents are often unable to park their cars due to short-term car parking for the city centre. Some have suggested more parking bays and ticketing systems
