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BBC local radio is undergoing dramatic change. A year ago, it was set to be cut by 20% under the Delivering Quality First plans of maverick director general Mark Thompson. The BBC was given a rough ride over the cuts – a testimony to the thousands of listeners that protested, the MPs that spoke up in the Commons, and local radio teams that got debate going despite the reluctance of their bosses. The cuts were halved after the protests, but they still represent a real threat to the quality of the service. Painful cuts are being made across local radio. Much loved shows are being axed or rescheduled. The controversial all England evening show is due to begin January. Local radio is changing. Whether it will be better and stronger under the cuts – as its boss David Holdsworth once claimed – remains to be seen. Please air your views on the changes on Twitter using the hashtag #savelocalradio. Andy Boddington |