So last week the warm weather finally broke…and while our gardens will certainly have enjoyed the deluge, it looks as though things are hotting up again as we head in to this weekend!
Our roads have quietened down a tad with no school run and folks heading out on their summer holidays, but local drivers will still witness a fair bit of traffic with people crossing the country to visit friends and family. I’ve always highlighted the importance of investing in local infrastructure, including our road network, and have regularly raised this during meetings with Transport Chiefs at Hampshire County Council. It is therefore really pleasing to see that the County Council have approved a £160 million package to improve Hampshire’s transport network. This, alongside projects that they already have underway, as well as those being undertaken by Highways England, will help to ease congestion and improve air quality and safety in our area.
One person who I know shares my passion for improving our local roads, and particularly the safety aspect to those improvements, is local Councillor for Fair Oak Steven Broomfield. It was great to meet with him last week to discuss local businesses, protecting green spaces and local ancient woodland. Stephen also raised development in and around Fair Oak as well as, of course, Eastleigh’s proposed Local Plan, on behalf of his residents, and I look forward to us working together on these and other matters over the coming months and years!
I was also really pleased to catch-up with the new Mayor of Eastleigh, Councillor Bruce Tennent over a coffee at Coffee#1 in Eastleigh recently to speak about how we can work together to support joint aims for Eastleigh. It was particularly great to hear Bruce’s plans for his tenure as Mayor, and how he will be using his role to support those most in need in our communities.
The protection of Ancient Woodland and Veteran Trees for future generations is something that I know many of you are really passionate about, and it is a passion that I share. As the former Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ancient Woodland and Veteran Trees, I campaigned alongside local residents and organisations, parliamentary colleagues and the Woodland Trust to secure extra protection for these unique features within our landscape, some of which outdate our oldest churches! I was therefore SO delighted to see that the Government has listened, and has now put the protection of ancient woodland and veteran trees on a par with the best of our built heritage for the first time ever. I hope the administration at Eastleigh Borough Council will now closely consider this advice within the Government’s new National Planning Policy Framework and look into other options that will better reflect our area as well as the views of local people.
Finally for this week, YOU have an opportunity to let Eastleigh Borough Council know exactly what you think of the delayed Local Plan via their ongoing consultation. This is your opportunity to have a say in the Plan which will shape the future of our area for decades to come! I have frequently written about the concerns which many of you have raised with me over this, but I would urge you to take a look over the weekend and make a direct submission if you haven’t already done so. The consultation closes at midnight on Monday (6th August).
Have a great summer, and remember to slap on plenty of sun cream. There’s lots going on locally so be sure to get out and enjoy it!