Latest news with #PedalonParliament
Edinburgh Reporter
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Sarah Boyack to step down at the election
Sarah Boyack MSP said she will step down at next year's Scottish parliamentary election. Lothians MSP Sarah Boyack who was first elected to The Scottish Parliament in 1999 has announced she will step down at the next election. Ms Boyack has campaigned on many issues, from bus passes to trying to rid the city of 'party flats'. In recent weeks she managed to persuade the First Minister to give her an assurance that the Scottish Government will look at the relatively small amount of cash needed to ensure that Filmhouse will be able to complete all four cinemas before opening at the end of the month. Sarah said: 't has been the honour of my life to serve my community in the Scottish Parliament, but I've decided not to stand in next year's election. 'I am proud of what I achieved both in government & as a local MSP, from introducing free bus passes for the over 60s andnational parks, to pushing the successful campaign to secure a new eye hospital for Edinburgh. 'I am excited to campaign for Scottish Labour in the 2026 election and I will continue to support action to tackle our housing & climate emergencies after my time in Holyrood is done. 'It's been a privilege to serve the people of Lothian.' Labour MSP, Foysol Choudhury, said: 'Sarah has been an outstanding representative for Edinburgh and the Lothians over the past 25 years. A thoughtful and determined voice in Scottish politics, she has led vital portfolios including Culture, Transport, and Net Zero, always standing up for local communities and causes with conviction. Her dedication and leadership have left a lasting impact across the country. 'Since my own election, Sarah has been a tremendous support to me always ready with guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear. In many ways, she supported me like a big sister, and I will always be grateful for the kindness and wisdom she so generously shared. She has long been a respected and influential figure in our Parliament, and her presence will be deeply missed.' Gregor Poynton, Labour MP for Livingston, said: 'Sarah Boyack has been a tireless and passionate champion for Edinburgh, the Lothians, and for Scotland throughout her remarkable career. 'From her ground-breaking work as a Scottish Minister to her dedicated work with communities across the region, including West Lothian and the Almond Valley constituency, Sarah has always put people first. 'Her decision to stand down will not have been easy, but she can look back with real pride on a record of delivering for the Lothians in government and opposition alike. Sarah will be greatly missed at Holyrood and in our party, but I know she will continue to make an invaluable contribution to our movement and our country in the years ahead. 'I wish Sarah all the very best for the future and thank her for everything she has done for our region and for Scottish Labour.' We have loads of photos of Sarah in our library – here is just a selection. Sarah Boyack MSP at Pedal on Parliament 2023. Photo © 2023 Martin P. McAdam Like this: Like Related
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Yahoo
Cyclist told parents about junction where HGV crash took her life
As John Newman studied a map of his daughter's daily cycle route in Glasgow, he told her it "looks like a highway". He was speaking on the phone from his home in Paris, a city where Emma Burke Newman was comfortable on her bike. But the 22-year-old architecture student, who dreamed of designing liveable neighbourhoods, sought to reassure him. She said: "There's just one tricky bit." On the morning of 27 January 2023, Emma was dragged under an HGV on the Broomielaw, which runs parallel to the River Clyde, and dragged 53m (174ft). When the driver, Paul Mowat, realised what had happened he got out of his cab and held her hand. He apologised as they waited for an ambulance to arrive but the French-American student later died from her injuries in the city's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Since the tragedy Mr Newman and his wife, Rose Marie Burke, have been campaigning for improved road safety. Ms Burke told BBC Scotland News: "I think she was aware, in general, of the dangers and she did everything possible to make herself visible and to respect the law. "Unfortunately, drivers in her case did not." Mr Newman said the couple had seen footage of the incident which showed both the HGV and a bus had encroached into the marked bike box. He added: "It should have been a safe space for her." As the couple returned to Glasgow to mark the second anniversary, they also called for tougher sentences for drivers who kill or maim. Mowat, of Govanhill, was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for 12 months at Glasgow Sheriff Court. An earlier hearing was told that Mowat's windscreen and mirrors were dirty and his view was obstructed by a reversing camera. As the lorry turned into the Broomielaw, its bumper caught the pannier rack of Emma's bike, causing her to fall. Mr Newman said: "What I find amazing with the sentencing guidelines is that there is so much emphasis put on allowing the drivers back on the road. "Every time there is a collision and a sentence it seems like the suspension of their licence is remarkably short. "There seems to be some idea that there is a right to drive and I am not so sure that is true. "If you do something dangerous and if you hurt somebody or kill somebody then that privilege should be revoked for a longer period of time." Emma was born in France to American parents who moved there in 1994. She arrived in Scotland in September 2022 to study architecture at Glasgow School of Art. Mr Newman recalled: "She was funny. She was loving. She was warm." Ms Burke added: "She was exceptional. "She was known for a big hug and that's one of the things that I remember." Following her death, Emma's parents called for cyclists to be given greater protection. They also backed Pedal on Parliament - an annual ride to Holyrood campaigning for safer roads. On Monday the couple returned to the scene to lay flowers at 10:10, the time Emma was critically injured. As they did, a cyclist stopped to speak to them and expressed his condolences. Ms Newman said: "It was so heart-warming that people remember and are so kind. "We have been met with such kindness here in Scotland." Glasgow City Council is now consulting on plans to improve the junction on the Broomielaw where the crash happened and make it safer for cyclists. As part of that process the couple have spoken to local authority officials. Ms Burke said the council had been "very responsive" in meetings and in listening to their concerns. She said: "I am really heartened by those plans. "It looks like it is going to be a much safer junction for everyone - drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike." But two years on from the devastating day they lost Emma, Mr Newman revealed a cruel irony about her death has stayed with him. He said: "She was working on liveable neighbourhoods and to have her killed by the same systems she was trying to improve is really tough to think about." HGV driver sentenced over death of French cyclist 'Better roads for bikes could have saved our girl' Police name student killed after crash with HGV
BBC News
29-01-2025
- BBC News
Cyclist told parents about Glasgow junction where HGV took her life
As John Newman studied a map of his daughter's daily cycle route in Glasgow, he told her it "looks like a highway".He was speaking on the phone from his home in Paris, a city where Emma Burke Newman was comfortable on her the 22-year-old architecture student, who dreamed of designing liveable neighbourhoods, sought to reassure said: "There's just one tricky bit." On the morning of 27 January 2023, Emma was dragged under an HGV on the Broomielaw, which runs parallel to the River Clyde, and dragged 53m (174ft).When the driver, Paul Mowat, realised what had happened he got out of his cab and held her apologised as they waited for an ambulance to arrive but the French-American student later died from her injuries in the city's Queen Elizabeth University the tragedy Mr Newman and his wife, Rose Marie Burke, have been campaigning for improved road Burke told BBC Scotland News: "I think she was aware, in general, of the dangers and she did everything possible to make herself visible and to respect the law."Unfortunately, drivers in her case did not."Mr Newman said the couple had seen footage of the incident which showed both the HGV and a bus had encroached into the marked bike box. He added: "It should have been a safe space for her." As the couple returned to Glasgow to mark the second anniversary, they also called for tougher sentences for drivers who kill or of Govanhill, was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and banned from driving for 12 months at Glasgow Sheriff earlier hearing was told that Mowat's windscreen and mirrors were dirty and his view was obstructed by a reversing the lorry turned into the Broomielaw, its bumper caught the pannier rack of Emma's bike, causing her to Newman said: "What I find amazing with the sentencing guidelines is that there is so much emphasis put on allowing the drivers back on the road."Every time there is a collision and a sentence it seems like the suspension of their licence is remarkably short."There seems to be some idea that there is a right to drive and I am not so sure that is true."If you do something dangerous and if you hurt somebody or kill somebody then that privilege should be revoked for a longer period of time." Emma was born in France to American parents who moved there in arrived in Scotland in September 2022 to study architecture at Glasgow School of Newman recalled: "She was funny. She was loving. She was warm."Ms Burke added: "She was exceptional."She was known for a big hug and that's one of the things that I remember." Following her death, Emma's parents called for cyclists to be given greater also backed Pedal on Parliament - an annual ride to Holyrood campaigning for safer roads. On Monday the couple returned to the scene to lay flowers at 10:10, the time Emma was critically they did, a cyclist stopped to speak to them and expressed his Newman said: "It was so heart-warming that people remember and are so kind."We have been met with such kindness here in Scotland." Glasgow City Council is now consulting on plans to improve the junction on the Broomielaw where the crash happened and make it safer for part of that process the couple have spoken to local authority Burke said the council had been "very responsive" in meetings and in listening to their said: "I am really heartened by those plans. "It looks like it is going to be a much safer junction for everyone - drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike."But two years on from the devastating day they lost Emma, Mr Newman revealed a cruel irony about her death has stayed with said: "She was working on liveable neighbourhoods and to have her killed by the same systems she was trying to improve is really tough to think about."
