Show support for the South Downs
Once again, this week the peace of the lockdown has been shattered by a minority of anti-social motorcyclists speeding through the quiet villages and roads of the South Downs and showing no consideration to residents. Having previously called upon Sussex Police to take action, this weekend they were out in force to target the offenders and I joined them on Sunday to see firsthand their excellent efforts with many residents noting an improvement.
On the previous weekend, they recorded 86 offences.
I understand this weekend will have involved more than 400 offences, with some so serious as to move straight to a criminal prosecution and many others putting the offender three points and a fine closer to the loss of a licence.
Whilst acknowledging that it will require time and repetition for the message that Sussex roads are no one’s racetrack to sink in, I would like to thank the police for the patient work on a sunny weekend when most residents were relaxing.
This is (somewhat ironically) English Tourism Week.
Tourism generates over £100billion a year, supports 2.6 million jobs and is a major employer of school leavers and young people as well as being an incubator for entrepreneurs and innovation.
I am a proud supporter of West Sussex tourism, sharing our many local blessings with visitors.
Through the lockdown I have kept in regular touch with our local tourism sector including virtual meetings with Experience West Sussex, the Sussex Federation of Small Business and the South Downs National Park Authority.
I am proud that Sussex has avoided the xenophobia against visitors that a minority in some other parts of the country have exhibited and hope that Sussex tourism reaps a dividend from this as people seek their ‘staycation’ destinations once allowed to do so. Many local businesses depend upon it! This week is also Biodiversity Week (when did everyone move from having a ‘day’ to needing a whole week?) and I am looking forward to engaging with local organisations learning how we can support Sussex’s natural flora and fauna across the South Downs.
Despite the co-habitation of humans, the South Downs are home to many rare species and some – like the greater mouseeared bat – that are found nowhere else in Britain.
Finally, efforts by myself and other West Sussex MPs to re-open the economy are making good progress.
The Government has confirmed that car showrooms and dealerships will now be permitted to reopen on Monday and that most High Street shops will be open again from June 15.
These are useful and concrete steps in getting Britain ‘back to business’ over the coming weeks.