There has been further positive news this month about extra health facilities with the official launch of the business case for the additional provision in Leighton Buzzard. I know this sounds like a bureaucratic delay, but it is necessary to make sure that the project is both fit for purpose and value for money for the public purse. All government infrastructure projects of this nature require a business case. Two GP practices which I have visited in recent days have told me that they are employing an additional eight GPs between them this month which should make it easier to get an appointment. I am also meeting local councillors this week to see how we can increase health provision in Houghton Regis.
It was good to see the West Street GP practice put on an excellent Dementia Awareness Day in The Salvation Army Hall which was well attended. I was also very pleased to learn that the provision of earwax removal is now in the universal offer which our health authority makes to GP practices and so this service should now be provided to all those who need it.
I have had the pleasure of visiting All Saints Academy, Queensbury Academy, Linslade school and Vandyke Upper School in the past few weeks. Next time you see a teacher, remember to congratulate them on the fact that children in England are now internationally recognised as the best readers in the western world which is a fantastic achievement. I have also been able to visit some of the holiday activity and food schemes taking place in our schools over the summer holidays and seen children having great fun and learning new sports as well as enjoying a free nutritious meal. It was also wonderful to see the progress on the Tithe Farm recreation ground sports project, which will provide wonderful facilities for the whole area.
I have just had an update from Bedfordshire Police on the operation which they ran earlier this month to crack down on the antisocial use of motorbikes and scooters. It was good to see a National Police Air Service helicopter in action as well as officers from the Operation Meteor team out in force. I am very well aware how fed up people are with this behaviour and we need to sustain the pushback against it over the months to come.
I’ve spent quite a lot of time looking at roads and transport issues over the last few weeks. We are going to need a solution to the ongoing congestion in Hockliffe, which affects the whole area. I met with Hockliffe Parish Council, who are organising a Parliamentary petition, requesting relief from this daily congestion. I will work with both National Highways and Central Bedfordshire Council to find a solution. Road safety is so important as well and I am looking for urgent improvements on the A505, as well as outside Vandyke Upper school among other places. I have also been around the area with some of our local councillors, looking at the condition of the roads which is poor in many places. In April, the government gave Central Bedfordshire Council an extra £989,000 enough to fix 19,000 potholes and I am very keen to get a progress update on which ones have been filled!