It was a busy week in Parliament, and I was pleased to make progress on two of the issues that matter most to the people of Fylde, namely the Morgan & Morecambe project and flooding.
On Wednesday I met with the Secretary of State for Energy to discuss the need for greater community input into major infrastructure projects. My own experience of the Morgan & Morecambe statutory consultation that was held in the autumn and the way it was approached gives me little confidence that this is seen as anything more than a box ticking exercise. It is my view that the petition I am running provides a true indication of local feeling on this topic. After fantastic turnouts in Kirkham, Freckleton, Newton-with-Clifton and St Annes, there will be a further public signing at St Albans Church on Kilnhouse Lane, St Annes, this Saturday from 10-2.
But this campaign should not be misconstrued as local NIMBYism. Fylde’s part in the move to net zero is in no doubt and we are no strangers to hosting infrastructure of national importance.
Indeed, shortly after that meeting I attended a roundtable discussion in the Prime Minister’s Office on the future of UK nuclear, at which I underlined the role that Springfields can play as our nuclear energy industry replaces existing carbon emitting sources of electricity. The future of the site and its near 1000 workforce now not only looks secure thanks to Government backing for the nuclear industry, but there are real opportunities for growth.
Following my recent meeting with Fylde’s flooding agencies I was in the House of Commons chamber on Thursday morning to follow up with the Environment Secretary, requesting a meeting with him to discuss our local flooding issues and how the Government can support these efforts. Those organisations will be giving me a written breakdown of the work planned to alleviate these issues, and I was pleased to receive the Minister’s promise of a future meeting to go through these.
The Minister also spoke about the work being done between the Environment and Housing Departments to ensure that newly built developments have adequate flood infrastructure, with drainage and holding ponds two key examples. I have asked that the respective Departments keep me updated on their progress, but it is vital that retrospective action is also taken to overcome the challenges on existing developments.
As ever, the highlight of my week was getting out and about in Fylde. I met with the Good Things Foundation at Ansdell Library to learn more about the work they are doing to help people of all ages and abilities get online. Having fought to retain our local libraries back in 2017 I was delighted to learn that all of the libraries in Fylde are part of their digital inclusion programme, and it is another powerful reminder of why we must continue to invest in these services. You can find out more about their work via: https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/