York-Harrogate-Leeds rail update
Posted by Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, at 13:01, Fri 5 August 2011:
One could be forgiven for thinking that nothing has happened in Westminster other than debates, statements and questions about phone hacking in recent months. Certainly that has been the dominant item on the news and across the internet.
And as an MP in my first term of office it has been fascinating to watch how the affair has played out with prime ministerial statements, a recall of parliament before MPs had even left for their constituencies and resignations among the police force and journalists.
But it would be wrong to think that this is all Westminster has been about. In fact, for the main part if has occupied a small proportion of MPs’ time.
A matter upon which I have spent more time is working with Harrogate’s Chamber of Trade and Commerce to present the case to the Minister for Transport, Theresa Villiers, for introducing a Metro system to the Leeds – Harrogate – Knaresborough – York railway line.
Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce have done a fantastic amount of work on this and it is a pleasure to work with them again on rail services following our success in bringing a new evening service to Harrogate from London. We have also achieved success in bringing ‘fast-ticketing’ to Harrogate station allowing tickets ordered online to be collected at the ticketing machine at the station. This service is due to start in the autumn.
We have worked together to ensure the support of all the interested parties. This involved introducing the Chamber Team to Yorkshire MPs who represent constituencies through which the track runs. We held a briefing meeting in Parliament and support for the scheme from MPs was unanimous. I think the proposals offer a way forward for our rail service with an imaginative use of existing rolling stock and an innovative approach to electrifying the line. I particularly welcome the opportunity for possible new stations on the line without increasing journey time.
Parliamentary recess is now upon us and the House of Commons won’t be sitting until September. I’m taking a short break but then it is back home to the constituency for surgeries, visiting local groups and businesses and all the local work that is the most rewarding part of the job.
One of the highlights of my first year as an MP was my Volunteer Week – a week I spent with a number of voluntary organisations across the constituency highlighting the good work they do and the value of volunteering. I spent half a day with each organisation working as an ordinary volunteer and it was great fun and a real eye-opener for me.
My second volunteer week will be between 19 September 2011 and 23 September 2011. If you are part of a local charity or voluntary organisation and want to take part please contact my office on 01423 529614. Also, last year a local school pupil came with me to the appointments to take photos of the events and help me prepare a blog of the week. If you are aged between 15 and 18 and want to help please also call my office team on 01423 529614.
Andrew Jones MP andrew.jones.mp@parliament.uk 01423 529614
If you are subscribed to HearFromYourMP in this constituency,
log in to post a reply.
Otherwise, if you live in the UK,
sign up in order to
HearFromYourMP.