TACKLING flooding, parking and litter problems and improving facilities for youngsters are wishes of Nunnery ward businesses and residents.

The ward, which contains Ronkswood, Newtown and parts of Tolladine and Shrub Hill, has seen a wealth of difficulties this year, not least with the parking situation at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

The lack of spaces, coupled with the price of parking, has seen the grass verge along Newtown Road become an additional "car park".

Carlisle Road resident and community worker Dave Yeomans is just one resident who wants to see the problem resolved. His property was also one of many in Ronkswood flooded by sewage after the torrential downpour that hit Worcester

in April.

"A wooden rail has been put alongside parts of the hospital's grass to stop people parking and it would be nice to see this continued," he said.

"A lot of rubbish like Tarmac and rubble was pulled out of the drains after the flooding. We need to see more regular checks to stop this happening again."

Newsagent John Williams of Weston's News, Lichfield Avenue, Ronkswood said he wanted parking outside the Ronkswood shops improved and further backing for community projects.

"I've set up a football team for youngsters on the estate and we're running training sessions each week. I'd like to see more funding and backing," he said.

Further worries for residents, highlighted in the Evening News this year, include the Newtown Road "corridor" development.

The proposals, which include a bus lane along stretches of the road and a gyratory system around Shrub Hill station, have met with concern by residents. Many feel the road's infrastructure is not capable of sustaining the developments.

The loss of bus routes into the Ronkswood estate is a worry for pensioners and those with mobility difficulties.

Rubbish-strewn alleyways in and around Prestwich Avenue in Newtown have been a further problem tackled in the Evening News Grot Spot campaign.

n Mike Layland, Independent

Former Mayor Mike Layland is Worcester born and bred and has served on the council for 35 years.

"The Independents' message is people not politics, and we will support ideas for the benefit of the community not just ideas for political gain," he said.

"We want to push for a regular and reliable bus service. The Lidl supermarket site needs to be made clean and tidy, and we want regular checks on the drains to stop flooding.

n James Stuart Denleigh-Maxwell

Conservative

JAMES Stuart Denleigh-Maxwell thinks the current Tory-led city council is doing a good job.

"I support the Conservative city council's efficiency drive that has saved hundreds of thousands of pounds, and welcome the extra dog mess and litter bins," he said.

We should crack down on the litter-louts. In Nunnery, anti-social behaviour must be tackled. We should also preserve our green spaces, not build offices or a park-and-ride site on them."

n Our series highlighting Worcester issues and candidates in the build-up to the June 10 local elections continues tomorrow, when the spotlight falls on Ronkswood ward.

Stanley Knowles, Independent

Former Gorse Hill pupil Mr Knowles grew up in the Newtown and Tolladine areas of Worcester and wants to continue putting time and effort back into the City.

He is a keen follower of Worcestershire County Cricket Club and has served as Nunnery councillor for the last four years.

"Parking is definitely a major issue, especially surrounding the hospital and it is something the Independents will be tackling," he said.

Keith Burton, Independent

KEITH Burton has lived in Worcester since 1947, is chairman of the PTA at Nunnery Wood High School and acting chairman of the Spetchley Road Residents' Association.

"After the recent floods, issues in Nunnery that need addressing are the speed bumps which funnelled water into peoples' houses, and the footpath between Humber Road and Canterbury Road, which now needs to be properly resurfaced," he said.

Nicholas Balsdon, Labour

Former regular soldier Mr Balsdon has lived at the heart of Nunnery in Prestwich Avenue, for the last six years.

The Environment Agency flood defence adviser is a firm believer in the value of local services.

"I want to help to bring buses back along Prestwich Avenue as a lot of pensioners are struggling to get into Worcester," he said.

"I would tackle the litter problem near to the sports centre, and ask for landscaping at the Lidl supermarket."

Christopher Taylor Labour

Registered nurse Mr Taylor is married with three boys and has lived in Worcester since 1991, for the last five years in Nunnery.

He has worked in the National Health Service since 1987.

In 1995, Mr Taylor was elected to the city council in the then St Martin's ward, a position he held for four years.

"Crime, law and order, traffic and also the relocation of the football stadium are major concerns within Nunnery Ward," he said.