MP Sara Britcliffe

Conservative Party

DURING the recent General Election, the Prime Minister said that for far too long parts of the country had been left behind.

Successive governments of all parties had not put the investment in to these areas and they had fallen behind the London and the South East. The Conservatives promised that we would start to ‘level up’ the country and bring investment into the North of England; into towns like Accrington, Oswaldtwistle and Haslingden.

For too long, all we have heard is the blame for the lack of local investment being passed around and no-one standing up for our area. I am delighted, therefore, that disabled passengers using Accrington railway station are set to benefit from accessibility improvements.

Many people use this station every day to commute to work, visit friends and relatives, and to go shopping, and the facilities for those who are less mobile have just not been good enough. The £20 million ‘Access for All’ programme will improve facilities for disabled passengers across 124 stations in the UK - three quarters of which are in the North of England. Unfortunately, Church and Oswaldtwistle, and other local stations were not on the list this time, but I will be pressing Ministers to include them in a future programme, so that disabled residents across the whole of my constituency have the same opportunity to use the rail network as more able-bodied people. I have also been working with my colleague in the neighbouring constituency of Rossendale and Darwen, Jake Berry MP, to support the reconnection of the East Lancashire Railway line to the national rail network. This would open up access for my constituents living in Haslingden to use the station at Rawtenstall to travel by train.

This will help reduce congestion, improve air quality and benefit the environment. Earlier in the year, working with others, I managed to save the X41 bus services from the axe. After speaking with Ministers, the Government stumped up the cash keep this vital lifeline between Accrington and Manchester on the road.

Further good news for bus users came last month when the Conservatives at Lancashire County

Council announced a £1.5 million boost to bus services across the county this year, with £3 million in each of the next three years. Buses are a lifeline for many residents, especially older people, so this money is another great filip to residents.

As your local Member of Parliament, I believe it is my job to put Hyndburn on the map and to work hard to bring in the investment we need.

I am making the arguments for better transport infrastructure that will reduce traffic jams, improve the air we breathe and benefit our environment.

I will continue to make the case at the top levels and bring in the investment to our area.

If there is any issue with which I can help you, please do not hesitate to email me at sara.britcliffe.mp@parliament.uk, or write to me at: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.