Leeds' Lib-Dem/Tory City Council has axed its plans to build a Waste Transfer site in the heart of Kirkstall, and local residents have reacted with delight.

Rachel protested strongly against the plans, alongside local Labour Councillors and local residents, which would have seen 100,000 tonnes of waste handled next to shops, houses, restaurants and Leeds’ busiest road. The campaign created a front page splash in the Yorkshire Evening Post and went online with a video filmed at Kirkstall Valley Primary School of children wearing gas masks in protest.

She told the Yorkshire Evening Post that the Council ‘caved in because they have seen the reaction of the local community. They should have spoken to the community at the start instead of going through an expensive tendering process that was a waste of taxpayers’ money.’

The Lib-Dem/Tory Council have said the decision is due to the potential cost of the site: something they should have known all along.

The decision raises serious questions about the Council’s approach to the project. The original idea to use the Evanston Avenue site completely ignored the surroundings. With four schools within a mile, thousands of houses nearby, restaurants and shops next door, AND with Leeds' busiest road running alongside, it was obvious that the site was wrong. Now it turns out that it would have been too expensive as well!

Kirkstall and Burley can breathe easy again: the Waste Not Wanted campaign has finally got through!

Although this battle has been won, the campaign is not fully over. There still stands a shell of the old transfer station, still processing some waste. The Council must take steps to turn the household recycling centre into a modern facility, and get rid of the burnt down eyesore.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Council finally see sense!

Rachel appeared today on "The Daily Politics" on BBC 2, to debate recent economic developments, proposed changes to the law on self defence and the threats to election night counting in some constituencies.

You can watch it on BBC I-Player.

One key debate in the show surrounded the release from prison of Munir Hussein. Aware of the principle that 'hard cases make for bad law' Rachel was sceptical of Conservative plans to reform the law on self defence. As it stands, the law allows people to use reasonable force in self defence - of themselves and their family - and a jury of twelve people are in the best place to judge what is reasonable in the circumstances. Conservative plans that would stop prosecutions unless self defence was 'grossly disproportionate' are nothing more than a headline grabbing gimmick.

Rachel has welcomed new research from the "Centre for Cities", saying that cities including Leeds are crucial to national economic recovery.

Responding to the research, Rachel said it confirmed that the routes that will see us out of this global recession will be local and regional.

As well as calling for an effort to strengthen our skills based economy, Rachel made the case for Leeds to be at the heart of the green financial services revolution, and build on the strengths of our regional economy.

Rachel praised the work of Yorkshire Forward in supporting the city through the recession, and highlighted the roles of national policies such as the Future Jobs fund, and Response to Redundancy, which have provided crucial support during the recession.

Looking forward, cities such as Leeds are central to national economic recovery:

"The economy is at a turning point, and the policies we pursue today will shape the economy of the future. To succeed we need excellent local leadership and a national government who will support us. As the Centre for Cities work shows, strong city economies are essential for a thriving and sustainable national economic recovery."

Rachel's response to the research was published by the Independent online.

The Centre for Cities is a non-partisan research and policy institute.

I have been Labour's parliamentary candidate in Leeds West since 2007, and my campaign has relied on hard working local volunteers for funding, and for action. As we move towards the general election and council elections, this hard work will be redoubled in the campaign for Labour in Leeds West.

Labour's doesn't have as much money as the Conservatives - we don't have tax exiles to fund our campaign - and it won't be wasted funding airbrushed photos for every street corner. Instead, we want to get the substance across, and to do that we need your help.

You can donate to my campaign via the button on my website. The money will be spent on the leaflets, letters and posters which volunteers write, produce and deliver all year round, every year. These leaflets are always full of local issues and national debates - the substance which I think should decide an election, rather than the soundbites that all too often prevail.

You can be sure that your donation, large or small, will make a real difference.

Thank you.

The Yorkshire Evening Post report today that our region is 'wide open' as we enter the election year.

In stark contrast to previous election years, 47% of voters in West Yorkshire do not know who they would vote for if the election was held tomorrow, making reports of a foregone conclusion at the polls appear inaccurate.

Rachel said 'The YEP survey results that people haven't yet made up their minds shows that voters are taking those issues seriously and deciding how to use their vote.'

'Voters are looking at the substance of what each party is offering, rather than glossy soundbites brushed over the reality. From rescuing the banking system, supporting businesses and families and providing support to keep people in work and in their homes, Gordon Brown has made the right decisions to protect our economy and ensure that it emerges from recession stronger than before. The choice at the election is not just about personalities or management styles it is about the issues that affect us all – in Leeds West and across the country.’

You can find the article here.

Schoolchildren, parents, local residents and councillors join Rachel in this video in condemning council plans to build a Waste Transfer Station opposite Kirkstall Valley Primary School.

Rachel has actively opposed the plant's location, and the video spells out exactly why.

Since making the video, Councillor Bernard Atha has visited similar facilities, and remains steadfastly opposed to the plans for the site on Kirkstall Road. The council, however, appears determined to make the plan final. To find out more about the campaign, click here

The video was filmed and produced by Interplay Theatre Group, based in Armley.