Monday, 7 August 2023

Newspaper Column 7th August 2023 - Investing in Local Infrastructure

Last week it was great to see Roads Minister Richard Holden MP on his second visit to our constituency this year – this time to see the progress being made on the A30

On Wednesday amid the rotten weather it was great to catch-up with the teams involved in upgrading this stretch of the A30 between Chiverton and Carland Cross along with Cllr Connor Donnithorne, Cornwall Council’s Portfolio Holder for Transport, and receive an update from Costain, the team delivering these vital works

It won’t be long now until this project will be completed and the congestion issues we’ve all experienced every summer will be greatly reduced.

As well as seeing the works being carried out on the A30, it was also good to see him get an update from Cornwall Council on some amazing initiatives going on in Cornwall, such as the successful partnership with Operators and the Council to provide free bus passes for Care Leavers. This is something I attended a meeting with the Minister, officials from Cornwall Council and young people with care experience in February, and it was plain to see then, from the passion with which the young people spoke, how important it was to the young people to get this free transport. Since then it was great to see Cornwall Council continue its scheme for free bus passes for Care Leavers, and I will be lobbying the Government to roll it out nationally.

We also spoke to the Minister about the success of Cornwall’s unique “bus fares pilot” which, combined with the government’s £2 flat fare single journey scheme, has encouraged more residents and visitors to get back on the bus. He heard about “interoperability” which means that in Cornwall, you can use any ticket at any bus!

The Minister could also see how Cornwall invests in active travel initiatives like Cornwall’s e-bike share scheme, Beryl bikes which are available at locations all across Cornwall, including Falmouth, Penryn and Truro.

There is so much being done to invest in and improve our public transport networks in Cornwall, making them more affordable and accessible to all. Part of my role as Member of Parliament for Truro and Falmouth is to ensure key decision makers at the top of the Government, such as the Roads Minister are able to see the unique challenges that we face in Cornwall, as well as how we are dealing with them for themselves, so they can be better informed to support us in the future, as well as take away ideas of best practice, where we are already leading the way, such as the free bus pass for care leavers, so they can be shared elsewhere. My work in this area for you continues…

As always, I am fully focused on the job at hand and if there is ever anything at all I can do to help, then please do not hesitate to contact me. Please get in touch with me by email at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk , or by telephone on 01872 229698. My regular constituency advice surgeries are held in a covid-safe environment at my office, so please do get in touch should you wish to meet me about any matters that I can be of assistance with.

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