Rob Edwards

Is the beaver about to make a comeback?

from Sunday Herald, 27 February 2005

Four centuries after it was hunted to extinction, the beaver could be about to make a comeback in Scotland under plans being put forward by the government's conservation advisers.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has asked ministers to give the go ahead to a trial reintroduction of up to 20 beavers in Argyll as early as next year. If the trial is successful, scores more could be introduced across the country in years to come.

'McConnell to blame' for road charging flop

from Sunday Herald, 27 February 2005

Scottish ministers have to share responsibility for the overwhelming rejection of congestion charging in Edinburgh last week, according to the city's transport leader, Andrew Burns.

Though reluctant to name names, he is critical of the First Minister, Jack McConnell and the Transport Minister, Nicol Stephen, for failing to campaign in support of the scheme.

Scotland’s secret environmental shame revealed

from Sunday Herald, 27 February 2005

THE Scottish Executive is under investigation by the European Commission for 32 alleged breaches of laws on nature conservation, waste, fishing, sewage treatment, farming and environmental assessment.

Privatising nuclear clean-up risks public safety

from New Scientist, 19 February 2005

PLANS to privatise the £48 billion clean-up of the UK's nuclear sites could put public safety at risk. The warning comes in documents compiled by the UK government's nuclear safety advisers released to New Scientist under the new Freedom of Information Act.

McConnell attacks US over Kyoto neglect

from Sunday Herald, 13 February 2005

JACK McConnell has launched an unprecedented attack on US President, George W Bush, for rejecting the international agreement to cut the pollution that is wrecking the climate.

Congestion charge 'will boost health'

from Sunday Herald, 06 February 2005

Vote for congesting charging in Edinburgh this week to improve your health - that is the last-minute plea being made by health experts this weekend.

Restricting road traffic will encourage more walking and cycling as well as cut air pollution, say leading Scottish health professionals. It could also reduce the number of deaths and injuries from road accidents, they claim.

Urban green spaces are ‘wastelands’

from Sunday Herald, 06 February 2005

MOST of the fields and parks in Scotland’s urban areas are ugly, unsafe “green deserts” – and ministers have no overall strategy for improving them.