Newbury man's plea to save BBC Local Radio

A Newbury man has launched a petition to save BBC Local Radio.

Carl Hayward, 33, has started an online petition in support of BBC Local Radio after the broadcaster announced plans to overhaul its local radio services with stations sharing more content and broadcasting less programming unique to each area.

The petition has so far gained 20 signatures, but Mr Hayward wants to exceed 100 and so asks anyone with an interest in local radio to support his campaign.

"I usually listen to BBC Local Radio and when they announced on the news that they were thinking about cutting BBC Local Radio to save money, I just thought they've got better things to save money on than cutting BBC Local Radio programmes," said Mr Hayward.

"I have a friend who works for BBC Local Radio and if they start cutting their programmes, they could lose their job."

Plans confirmed by the broadcaster on Monday include the loss of 48 jobs across local staffing in England, amounting to a total reduction of two per cent. The proposals come as part of the BBC's new strategy, announced in May, to create a "modern, digital-led" broadcaster.

In his online petition, Mr Hayward writes: "I strongly believe BBC Local Radio provides a valuable service uniting and informing local communities, especially those who live in rural areas.

"This is a shocking London-centric proposal made by people who just don't understand the importance of the regions and of local identities, communities and events."

Kennet Radio presenter, Christine Rowley, said: "As a volunteer radio presenter for Newbury's community station, I value the local content and input from people in the Newbury and Thatcham area.

"To centralise the BBC sub regional daytime services would result in a loss of local content as these programmes would be combined to cover larger areas."

Voluntary radio presenter, Paul Allen, who hosts his own weekly podcast, echoed these comments saying: "I have volunteered for years in many BBC Local Radio stations. Local BBC stations are at the heart of our communities.

"There is a great show on BBC Radio Berkshire every night between 10pm-1am called the Paul Miller show. He will speak to you as a friend and not a number if that makes sense. It would be a shame if shows like that had to go."

The changes will see around £19m reprioritised from broadcast services towards online and multi-media production. The BBC is also creating 11 investigative reporting teams across the country whose focus will be local issues across TV, radio and online.

But a BBC spokesperson added: "We are committed to bringing audiences their favourite local output and we'll continue to do so. We'll confirm our programme plans for future schedules in due course."

All 39 BBC local radio stations will continue with their own dedicated local programming from 6am to 2pm on weekdays. Greater programme sharing will result in 139 fewer roles in audio teams, but there will be around 131 additional roles across local news services.

Visit https://petitions.sumofus.org/petitions/bbc-9?share=191b6415-d713-432f-9939-b19e9088c1d9&source=email-share-button&utm_medium=&utm_source=email to support the petition.