Rossendale MP
AS the House of Commons is not sitting due to the summer recess, I have been enjoying spending some time at home in Helmshore and working from my offices in Darwen and Rawtenstall. In addition to attending numerous events and meeting people who drop into my offices, I have also held several summer advice surgeries in different locations across Rossendale and Darwen.
Last week I met with the new owners of the Bacup Hub site to learn more about their plans to redevelop the derelict site on Burnley Road into a new petrol station with a drive through food retailer. The former leisure hall has fallen into disrepair over recent years and become an eyesore so I’m really pleased to see a positive plan to regenerate the site and bring more jobs to the town.
It was also good to catch up with everyone at the open Garden Day at Badger Corner in Whitewell Bottom. Water Band put on a great show as usual and plenty of cream teas and cakes helped to raise some welcome funds for Rossendale Community First Responders and Community Defibrillators for Rossendale. Thank you to Dawn and Ken Taylor for such a lovely event.
It’s also good to see work starting on the scheme to regenerate Rawtenstall town centre, with the old police station and ‘one-stop shop’ council building finally demolished. Along with the opening of the A’Vucciria Café Bar, new micro pubs and the next stage of the New Hall Hey scheme it seems that Rawtenstall really is on the way up and this is very encouraging to see.
One thing that I do agree with Jeremy Corbyn with, is that Labour’s Police & Crime Commissioner for Lancashire should not be closing Rossendale’s Police Station’s front counter. That’s why I’ve met with the new Chief Constable of Lancashire, Andy Rhodes to raise my concerns and I’m pleased that he’s looking at ways to ensure that Rossendale residents can continue to access a public facing police service.
I’m meeting with local residents in Edenfield next week to discuss their concerns about the council’s new local plan for Rossendale. After the spectacular disaster that they made of the last one, proposing to bulldoze playing fields and football pitches, which led to it being scrapped, I can only hope that this one is an improvement. I’ve been working with the council to get the number of homes reduced and this is something I’m continuing to raise in Westminster. I would encourage all residents to have a look at the plans either online or at the events around the valley and let us know your thoughts.
As the 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 215 547 or email me at jake.berry. mp@parliament.uk