New Trains for Bristol!
Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 17:02, Fri 13 February 2009:
NEW TRAINS FOR BRISTOL
Journey times to London will be cut thanks to a new fleet of high-speed trains, the Government announced this week. The existing rolling stock is up to 30 years old, and these new trains will be more efficient, quicker, and able to carry 20 per cent more passengers. Even in difficult times, it is essential that the Government continues to invest in our transport infrastructure. Building and maintaining the trains is expected to create and safeguard 12,500 manufacturing jobs in the UK. Of five new depots to be created, one will be in Bristol, which is an important boost to our local economy.
MEETING WITH CHIEF INSPECTOR
Today I met with the new Police Chief Inspector for Bristol South, Paul Breed, who came to introduce himself to me and discuss local residents’ priorities for policing in the area. We spoke about the importance of neighbourhood policing, where police officers can really get to know an area and the local people. Anti-social behaviour continues to be a particular problem in some areas of the constituency, and I also mentioned the need to counter the perception that Bristol South loses police officers to the city centre on weekend evenings. We discussed police plans for continuing to tackle drugs and drug dealing, and I expressed concern about incidents of domestic violence (see below for more information about this issue). As always, residents’ involvement in helping to shape local priorities for the neighbourhood policing teams is very important. For more information about how to get involved with public meetings, please contact my office, or visit the Avon & Somerset Police website: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, this week launched a new guide aimed at helping victims of domestic violence and announced new funding for support services. The guide shows how friends and family-members can recognise if someone is suffering from domestic violence and explains what support is available. Copies of the guide can be downloaded from my website. The Home Office has also been working to secure additional banking support for victims, meaning they can open new independent bank accounts and, if necessary, can give just a PO Box as their new address. These measures are announced in advance of a consultation on a major cross-Government strategy to tackle Violence Against Women focussing on: actions to prevent violence; challenging attitudes; and reducing the fear of serious violence that some women may feel.
Locally, Knowle West Domestic Abuse Project has launched its new book, Have Wings Will Fly. The book tells the stories of people who have been abused by a partner, yet managed to rebuild their lives. I was very pleased to have been asked to write the foreword to this important book, which will, I hope, provide support and inspiration for people currently trapped in abusive relationships. There’s more information at www.knowlewestdomesticabuse.co.uk.
REAL HELP FOR COMMUNITIES
Charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises are on the frontline during these challenging times, delivering real help to those who need it most. This week the Government announced a £42.5 million recession action plan for the sector to help them step up – not scale back – their work. I know from my regular contact with charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises here in Bristol South, that organisations and groups in the most disadvantaged areas are facing significant increases in demand and need extra help now. Over the last ten years we’ve doubled public income for the third sector – from £5.5 billion to over £11 billion and the extra money announced this week will help further. If you’d like a copy of the action plan, please visit my website – www.bristolsouthlabourparty.org.uk
KNIFE CRIME ACTION
This week saw the first meeting of the “No To Knives” campaign coalition. The campaign, which was launched in December, includes figures from sport, music and business, together with families, community groups and government, all coming together to work for an end to knife crime. The aim of the meeting is to come up with ideas to change young people's behaviour so that fewer young people carry knives and fewer fear them. This follows last week’s announcement of new measures to limit the availability of knives to under-18s. Twenty-one retailers and the British Retail Consortium have signed up to the new measures which include: signs in supermarkets and shops displayed in product aisles where knives are sold and at point of sale to explain that proof of age will be required if the buyer appears to be under 18, training and support to staff on the sale of knives and enhanced safeguards on internet sales to address attempted underage sale of knives.
JOHN WILLIAMS
I was very saddened to learn of the death of John Williams, Principal of the Oasis Academy in Hengrove. John’s tragic death, aged just 40, came following a heart attack earlier in the year. I know that John had real ambitions for the Academy, which only opened last September. My thoughts are with the whole school community and, of course, John’s family at this sad time.
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 me at 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.
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