Your Leeds local election 2018 A to Z: Rothwell

THE CANDIDATESAhad, Shazar - Conservative Party Aliremzioglu, Ali - Green Party Boycott, Joe - Conservative Party Bruce, Karen - Labour Party Burke, Sharon - Labour Party Golton, Stewart - Liberal Democrats Harrison, Carmel Francess - Liberal Democrats Long, Melieha Ruth - Conservative Party Nagle, David Patrick - Labour Party Yates, Patricia - Liberal Democrats
ROTHWELL: Life is good but there is frustration over planning and parking.
PIC: GoogleROTHWELL: Life is good but there is frustration over planning and parking.
PIC: Google
ROTHWELL: Life is good but there is frustration over planning and parking. PIC: Google

ROTHWELL - KEY ISSUES AND NUMBERS

Rothwell sits in the outer-south area of Leeds and includes Carlton, Oulton and Woodlesford in its boundaries.

The ward is the eighth largest in Leeds by area. The average age of residents is 41, and life expectancy 82. According to the 2011 census, almost 95 per cent of residents of this ward are from white British backgrounds. The employment picture in the ward is good, with joblessness and benefits claimants numbers both below the city average, and crime levels are low.

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This perception of Rothwell as doing ok for itself has led, conversely, to many voters feeling neglected, with a sense that outer areas are suffering through austerity, as more money is concentrated in the centre of the city.

As one candidate puts it: “There is a frustration that Rothwell isn’t allowed to take advantage of the advantages that it has.”

Recent talking points for locals have included older people’s care – Dolphin Manor and Home Lea remain council-run residential homes despite widespread closures and changes elsewhere in the city.

Also a continuing issue of concern locally is the possible arrival of HS2 high speed rail and its proposed route through Woodlesford, via a tunnel under a local park. For some locals, there is a sense that they are being treated as “collateral damage”.

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Green-belt housing developments are as much a concern here as in other outer areas, with two big sites off Wood Lane and Haigh Side being earmarked.

Another potential vote swayer is the approach to the ongoing bugbear of parking on Wood Lane, one of the main roads exiting Rothwell. After parking restrictions were imposed on the A61, office workers are now parking on Wood Lane and causing a nuisance.

>What are the other issues in Rothwell which may sway voters? Email [email protected]