Sarah Richards – Candidate for Whitnash
I’ve lived in Whitnash since 2004, and enjoy life in the town with my partner and our young baby.
I work in the environmental sector as a Hydrologist looking after the canals, where I’ve observed first-hand how climate change is already negatively impacting our vital water resources, and how fly tipping and litter is sadly getting much worse, particularly since the pandemic. I’m very passionate about tackling these issues at the local level and believe more can be done in Whitnash e.g. proactively engaging with local volunteer groups who really want to help.
I’m also a trained Mental Health First Aider, and co-founder of a local mental health group that promotes wellbeing through exercise. I’d like to encourage a more diverse mix of groups to become active in Whitnash, and help the new community hub to thrive. I think it is important that everyone’s voices can be heard and that people from a variety of backgrounds are involved in decisions made about our local community.
Over recent years there has been a concerning increase in traffic and air pollution in the town. The landscape has change dramatically, and mitigations to balance the loss of our greenfield areas have not always gone far enough. We need a stronger presence of green party councillors at the County Council level to improve our bargaining power and change things for the better. Immediate priorities include greater road safety (I see terrible parking around our local schools daily), and better cycling provision.
I support the Green Party as its elected councillors in Warwickshire are already successfully challenging the status-quo, ensuring green matters are placed at the heart of local policy making and debate. However more are needed as the climate crisis requires an urgent response. If you care about the long-term future of Whitnash then please vote Green!
