Welcome to this week’s constituency newsletter for residents in Reading West and Mid Berkshire. It has been a very busy week in the constituency, progressing a number of the campaigns that I am running, including tackling safety concerns about the A34 slip roads at East Ilsley and Beedon, delivering more affordable housing in our villages, and seeing once again, the concerns that residents in Burghfield Bridge have raised about flooding.
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A34 Slip Roads
Having raised residents’ safety concerns regarding the A34 slip roads at East Ilsley and Beedon in Parliament, I was pleased this week to be able to go on a site visit with the Route Manager from National Highways to discuss what needs to be done to ensure the safety of road users. Driving on the slip roads, especially joining the A34 southbound at East Ilsley and northbound at Beedon, is extremely dangerous and intimidating, even for experienced drivers.
I had a very constructive conversation about the issues that had been raised with me by residents, and it is welcome that National Highways will be making safety improvements in the short term as well as having recommended a full safety review of the A34 in the long term. I will be following up with the Department for Transport on the need for a full safety review and urgent investment to deliver both immediate improvements and more significant works as soon as possible.
Affordable rural housing
I was really pleased this week to be able to visit the development of ten new affordable homes for rent and shared ownership in Chapel Row that are being developed by Sovereign Network Group. This follows my debate in Parliament earlier this year where I spoke about how people in West Berkshire are being priced out of their communities because of a lack of affordable housing in our villages. It was great to look around some of the properties and hear about the energy efficiency measures that will be built in.
We desperately need more developments like this, and I am keen to work with housing providers like Sovereign as well as continuing to hold the West Berkshire Council’s feet to the fire so we can make real progress and ensure the sustainability of our beautiful villages for generations to come.
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Burghfield Bridge flooding I was delighted to visit Burghfield Bridge to see once again the concerns that local people have raised in relation to flooding. One of the residents who has been impacted by flooding showed me the sections along the River Kennet where the bank has eroded as well as where trees and other vegetation are obstructing the Holy Brook. I am determined to ensure that the immediate concerns that residents have raised are tackled as well as plan put in place to mitigate future flooding. So, I am pleased that there is a further meeting with West Berkshire Council, the Environment Agency, and the Canal and River Trust on 23 May to update residents on progress. In the meantime, if residents have any concerns, please do get in touch. |
Tackling the scourge of potholes
In Parliament, earlier this week, alongside my colleague Peter Swallow the MP for Bracknell, I highlighted how this Labour Government is tackling potholes across the country – with £2.7m for Reading Borough Council and £8.9m for West Berkshire Council to fix the costly and dangerous holes.
In total, the government have given councils a record £1.6 billion to repair roads and fill millions of potholes across the country. Reading’s Labour council has been doing excellent work fixing our roads, but we need to see progress everywhere, which is why we have introduced strict requirements that mean councils must show actual progress or face losing cash.
Investing in our NHS
It’s been really encouraging to hear how many people are feeling the benefits of our investment and reform in the NHS. People finally getting much-needed appointments, having long-awaited operations, and feeling like the NHS is starting to work for them once more.
And figures released this week, bear this out. We made a promise that we would create two million more appointments for patients in our first year, but we’ve already smashed this target and have reached 3.1 million additional appointments in our first six months. And, we have cut the waiting list for the sixth month in a row, by a total 219,000 since July, with fewer patients waiting over 18 weeks.
Through this government’s Plan for Change, we are starting to see a real difference. Fixing our NHS is a long road, and this is just the start, but we’re doing the work and delivering for patients.
Dates for your diary
Sunday 27th April, Community Drop-in, Mortimer – If you live in Mortimer and would like to come along for a chat with tea and biscuits in the afternoon, please email with the subject line ‘Mortimer Community Drop-in’ and my team will confirm the details closer to the time.
My next newsletter will be in two weeks’ time, so I would like to wish you a peaceful and happy Easter.
Olivia