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Hospital Topping Out

Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 15:55, Fri 11 February 2011:

WELCOME!

Here’s the latest edition of my regular newsletter.

HOSPITAL TOPPING OUT...

Take a look at my website – www.dawnprimarolo.co.uk – for pictures of the ‘topping out’ ceremony at Bristol South Hospital. The ceremony, held on the roof of the hospital last Friday, marks the completion of the external structural work. In the next few months the scaffolding surrounding the site will come down, while builders finish internal work for opening next Spring. So many people have worked so hard to get our hospital off the ground – from my initial petition many years of hard work have got us to this point. Congratulations to all involved – I can’t wait to go back to see our hospital open to patients.

...AND A LEISURE CENTRE UPDATE

The hospital roof gives a birds-eye view of work on the new leisure centre. Builders are on site and working hard on the structure of the building – the domed roof of the 50 metre swimming pool is taking shape. The hospital, skills academy and leisure centre show the importance of Government investment in Bristol South. Thank goodness we got confirmation of all three before the cuts programme started.

LATEST NEWS ON THE FORESTS

Since my last newsletter, many more local residents have been in touch to express their opposition to the Government’s short-sighted plans to sell our forests. I certainly share these concerns, and am currently waiting for a reply from the Minister responsible after writing to raise concerns with her. Unfortunately, a Parliamentary motion calling on the Government to re-think its sell-off plans was voted down last week. In my role as Deputy Speaker I chaired much of the debate, and it was good to see Labour MPs standing up for the natural environment. If we all keep the pressure up, I hope that the Government will ditch this barmy plan. You can respond to the Government’s forest consultation on the following website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/forests/index.htm

WESTMINSTER ROUND-UP

As well as catching up with correspondence and chairing debates in Parliament, I’ve had the chance to attend a number of events in and around Parliament in the last couple of weeks. I was pleased to support the launch of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Education – it’s really important that young people understand how to handle finances. Healthy hearts were the order of the day both at a Heart UK reception and the launch of Bristol as a ‘Heart Town.’ We’re a leader in heart health here in Bristol, with the fantastic Bristol Heart Institute a centre of excellent education and treatment, and I’m looking forward to working with Heart UK and other organisations to combat heart disease in the city. I also attended a meeting with Directors of Airbus UK, and I’ll be working with Airbus and the trade unions to support an industry which is so important to the south-west.

MASSAGE PARLOUR AT BRITISH ROAD - REJECTED

Following the objections of local residents, our councillors and myself, the proposed ‘massage parlour’ on British Road has been rejected by planners. Such an establishment on a residential road was wholly inappropriate, and I’m very pleased that the Council has had the good sense to kick the plans out. Many thanks to everyone who objected – I am sure that knowing the level of local opposition to the proposals helped the planning officers to reach this correct decision.

LOCAL OFFERS

As regular readers of this column will know, I’m pleased – when space allows - to promote events and offers from local charities and organisations. If you lack the confidence to cycle in the city, then you may wish to take advantage of one to one cycle training for £5 an hour. Life Cycle UK are offering subsidised training until the end of March, so if you think you’d benefit, now’s the time to get in touch. For more information visit www.lifecycleuk.org.uk. I also thought you might be interested in a free information session on 19 February on what happens in Parliament and how you can get involved. To book a place visit www.voscur.org/haveyoursay/takepart.

ANY QUESTIONS?

If you have any queries about these issues, or have a question you would like to ask about anything else, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Just email primarolod@parliament.uk, phone 0117 909 0063 or write to me at PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH.