With the excitement and headlines of conference season behind us, the return to Parliament is most welcome, bringing a chance to press Ministers on how we intend to deliver on the promises made in the 2019 manifesto.
That, of course, includes tackling the challenges which remain around leasehold homes. There are thousands of people living in leasehold properties in Fylde and it is important to ensure work continues to deliver meaningful reforms to the sector. That means putting in place measures like a clear and transparent process which allows homeowners to buy their freehold at a fair price. I also want to see real change in the way management company charges are applied on developments, to protect homeowners from unexpected and sometimes unwarranted costs. Progress has already been delivered for those buying new homes and the Government needs to ensure its focus is now firmly on supporting those living in existing properties.
The evenings are drawing in and with autumn most definitely upon us thoughts fall back to the Government’s energy support package. The payments residents are now receiving are most welcome and will certainly cushion the impact of rising prices. But there are still those, like park home residents, who are not the direct bill payers, waiting to hear how help will be provided. A package was promised in the autumn and I have asked Ministers to ensure this is brought forward without further delay, to provide reassurance for people in Fylde well ahead of the winter.
I have campaigned hard in recent years to secure investment in our local transport network and it was good this week to see first-hand the progress being made on delivering one of the largest schemes. I was pleased to join the team from Kier and National Highways on the A585 bypass project, where work is still progressing towards completion next summer. The road is really taking shape, with some areas almost ready for surfacing. Over the next couple of months peoples should start noticing real changes both around the major junctions along the route and in the sections of dual carriageway being built to link up to the network.
I know that for motorists in Fylde these improvements, along with those on the M55 Link Road at St Annes and the Preston West Distributor, cannot come soon enough. I also want to ensure we get the investment needed in our local roads, a point I made loud and clear to Lancashire County Council during a visit to Links Gate, one of many roads in Fylde desperately in need of resurfacing. I have made my priorities for Fylde clear, along with my expectations.