Our geography can be both a blessing, and a curse. It gives us fantastic areas of natural beauty, be that our stunning sandy beaches and rural areas, but it also leaves us at high risk of flooding.
To counter this threat Fylde is benefitting from significant Government investment in flood prevention, with over £30 million being spent locally to improve our sea defences and I am really pleased with the continued progress in St Annes, where construction work is now imminent on the £12 million upgrade scheme.
This investment follows the new defences at Fairhaven, which opened during the Coronavirus lockdown of 2020, and which have become a real local asset in addition to flood prevention, providing a pedestrian and cycle route with fabulous views across the Ribble Estuary.
But significant issues remain in inland areas of Fylde. Communities like Freckleton, Staining and Wrea Green to name just a few examples continue to experience problems, with highways blocked and homes at risk of damage.
The Flooding Minister visited Fylde in 2021 to witness and discuss these issues and on Thursday I asked that she come back to Fylde to visit some of the impacted areas. and work with me to draw up a plan to consign these issues to the past.
This week also brought the welcome news that the Energy Price Cap is set to fall, and I very much hope that this marks the start of a continued reduction in the wholesale energy prices that have driven inflation over the past year. Nevertheless, it will take time for households to feel the benefit of this and, while prices remain high, the Government’s support will continue to shield households from the full costs, including through the now live Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding.
I have fought to ensure that Fylde residents living in Park Homes, assisted living and others without a direct relationship with their energy supplier can access £400 support, equal to that being paid out to households via the main scheme, and I was therefore delighted to see the Alternative Funding open for applications.
On Friday I met with the Football Foundation and St Annes FC to discuss their facilities at Blackpool Road, with changing rooms in need of renovation and a drainage system that is not up to modern standards. This is a longstanding frustration for coaches, parents, and players alike, resulting in too many matches being postponed during the winter months or following heaving rain.
It was a hugely important week for Football, with the release of the Government White Paper, which I hope will deliver reform that sets the sport up for a brighter future, including for grassroots clubs like St Annes FC and I have been working with the Club, Lancashire FA and key figures from Fylde Borough Council to secure these improvements.