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News from Westminster

Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 13:48, Fri 5 September 2008:

WORK UNDERWAY AT HENGROVE PARK

This morning, despite the dreadful weather, we marked the launch of work on the Hengrove Park development. Plans for Hengrove Park will see the new City of Bristol Skills Academy, a leisure centre with an Olympic size swimming pool and, of course, our new South Bristol Hospital. Residents have been waiting for some time for work to start, and I know it will mean so much to the thousands of residents who supported the campaign for the hospital that work on site has begun. I will, of course, keep you updated with progress in the upcoming months.

A BETTER POLICE PRESENCE IN KNOWLE

From Hengrove, I went straight to Knowle, where I opened Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s latest Police Pod at Broadwalk Shopping Centre. The Pod will be the permanent base for the local policing team. Of course, neighbourhood policing teams spend most of their time out on the beat, but the pod will be open to the public for enquiries when the team are there. The first of these pods in England was recently opened next to ASDA Bedminster, and residents tell me how useful they’ve found it. The officers I spoke to today were also sure that their presence around Broadwalk would help cut crime in and around the centre, which has previously been a problem. Before I left, I spoke with residents about the sudden closure of the Wells Road Post Office. I have been in touch with Post Office Ltd, who are working hard to find a solution. As soon as I have more news, I will let you know.

CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE LAUNCHED

This week saw the launch of the programme to vaccinate girls against the most common types of cervical cancer. Girls in Year 8 will receive injections which prevent against strains of the HPV virus, which causes 70 per cent of cervical cancer. This is a massively important public health campaign, which has the potential to save hundreds of lives every year. As well as 12 and 13 year olds, the Government is embarking on a two year catch-up programme, so that all girls and young women up to the age of 18 will be offered the vaccine.

HELP FOR THE HOUSING MARKET

I was pleased with the Government’s announcement earlier this week of a £1 billion homeowners’ support package and a stamp duty holiday for houses costing under £175,000. The new measures are designed to help first time buyers get onto the housing ladder, help homeowners who are in difficulty, support the house-building industry and strengthen confidence in the housing market more generally. The homeowner support package and stamp duty holiday were introduced to help people during the current squeeze in global finances, particularly first time buyers and homeowners who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in trouble. More details about the new housing package can be found on the Department for Communities and Local Government website: www.communities.gov.uk or by contacting my office.

BUS SERVICES IN KNOWLE

Several people have contacted me recently regarding changes that First Bristol has made to bus routes in the Knowle West area. The no. 89 service between Inns Court and Broadmead has been replaced by a revised no. 90 service but local residents are very concerned that the service no longer operates along Leinster Avenue. I have written to the Managing Director of First Bristol to raise these concerns.

GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPORT IN SCHOOLS

Following the fantastic achievements of our athletes in Beijing, the focus now turns to London 2012. The bid is designed to ensure that sport – at all levels, and across the entire country - benefits from the investment being made in the capital. Bristol and Bath have just hosted a very successful UK Schools Games, and the Government is backing sport with an extra £100 million in funding, which will include schemes for young people who don’t currently take part in sport, as well as a wide range of taster programmes in ‘non-traditional’ sports like cycling, sailing, kayaking and American football.

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. You can email primarolod@parliament.uk, phone 0117 909 0063 or write to me at PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH. Alternatively, for more information on what’s happening in and around Bristol South, you can visit www.bristolsouthlabourparty.org.uk .