Rossendale MP

WITH Parliament now in recess it’s a welcome change to be back home in Rossendale full time.

It gives me a good chance to catch up with local issues and casework, as well as taking my dog Lola on her favourite walks in the Valley, where we spotted two Kingfishers last week.

I’m a bit of a birdspotter, which is why I was delighted to be asked by the RSPB to become the ‘species champion’ for the Curlew.

The West Pennine Moors around Rossendale are a really important breeding ground for these large wading birds, whose numbers are in severe decline and I’m pleased to be working with the RSPB to do what we can to protect breeding habitats and raise awareness.

Last week I spent the day teaching at Wonderful Things at St Mary’s Primary in Rawtenstall.

We set up our own House of Commons, were interviewed by the lovely Sally Naden from Radio Lancashire and then held our ‘election’ which was won by the Tidy Up Rossendale Party. Thank you to everyone for what was a very fun filled day.

I’m always happy to arrange visits for local schools to come and visit the Houses of Parliament, please get in touch if you’d like any more details.

I’ve had quite a number of constituents contact me concerning speeding on Haslingden Old Road in Rawtenstall.

I’m pleased to be able to report that Lancashire Police have undertaken traffic monitoring and are looking at adding this as a location for their mobile speeding enforcement.

So drivers, you have been warned, slow down on Haslingden Old Road or else!

I’m also continuing to work with the Environment Agency on a number of issues following the Boxing Day floods earlier this year.

I’m pleased to confirm that an inspection of the Dale Mill Culvert upstream of Paradise Street in Waterfoot has been carried out and work to remove gravel and debris from Whitewell Brook will be undertaken very shortly.

There will also now be an annual programme of maintenance and debris clearance along the whole stretch of Whitewell Brook from Waterfoot up to Lumb Village which should go a long way to reducing the flood risk in the local area.

As your MP for Rossendale and Darwen, I represent around 90,000 people across East Lancashire.

If you ever need my help or want to let me know about a local issue please get in touch with me either by phoning 01706 215547 or email me at jake.berry.mp@ parliament.uk