The latest news from Edward Timpson MP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to this, my 175th news bulletin...

Council unveils new cycling strategy in Cheshire East

Cheshire East Council has unveiled a strategy to double the number of people cycling in the borough.

The authority’s ambition is a ‘step change’ in the take up of cycling by residents of all ages across Cheshire East, with a vision ‘to enable more people to cycle safely, more often and with confidence for everyday and leisure journeys’.

The new cycling strategy provides a framework which will shape council policy and inform the planning and design of the borough’s streets, communities and green spaces.

The plan will deliver a cycle-friendly network of key routes (PDF, 1.7MB) to connect residents and visitors to jobs, skills, schools services and leisure opportunities.

The council will work with partners and local cycling groups to deliver the cycling strategy over the next 10 years, with the aim of doubling the number of local people cycling at least once a week by 2025.

To deliver this new strategy, funding will be sought from a wide range of sources - with current streams to improve the cycle network across the borough to include:

• A share of the £5m allocated to Cheshire and Warrington LEP by the Local Growth Fund to improve cycle routes which link key housing and employment and development sites;
• £500,000 'Local Growth Fund' matching by Cheshire East Council;
• £612,445 secured from the Department of Transport (DfT) to fund Bikeability cycle training for children;
• A commitment by Network Rail to construct cycle facilities alongside the proposed rail replacement bridge on the A530 at Leighton, Crewe;
• Developer funding as part of planning consent agreements.

This, as I am sure you will agree, is a positive initiative, which will not only boost connectivity, but encourage people to adopt sustainable modes of travel within the region.

Edward Timpson MP
Member of Parliament for Crewe and Nantwich
Please remember, you can always contact me directly if you have any questions, or if there is anything I can do to assist you.

2017 London Marathon

Later this month I will be running the Virgin London Marathon with fellow Cheshire MP, Graham Evans, in support of Muscular Dystrophy UK and the Army Benevolent Fund – The Soldiers' Charity.

Between us, we have run 17 London Marathons and, collectively, raised tens of thousands of pounds for many worthwhile causes – including charities and groups, such as The Christie, East Cheshire Hospice, Leighton Hospital, the Royal British Legion, and Care After Combat.

Our Virgin Marathon personal bests, going into this year’s event, are not too dissimilar. Despite getting close in recent years, my PB still stands at the 2013 record of 3hrs 42 minutes, while Graham, in his fifth consecutive marathon, last year, achieved a new record time of 4hrs 25mins. 

As I am sure you will agree, both charities for this year’s effort are superb causes. Muscular Dystrophy UK (previously known as the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign) is a charity that brings together individuals, families and professionals to beat muscle-wasting conditions. Since 1959, it has been leading the fight against muscle-wasting conditions, by:

• supporting high quality research to find effective treatments and cures and won’t stop until we have found them for all muscle-wasting conditions;
• leading the drive to get faster access to emerging treatment for families in the UK;
• ensuring everyone has the specialist NHS care and support they need – the right help at the right time, wherever they live;
• and by providing a range of services and resources to help people live as independently as possible

ABF - The Soldiers’ Charity, meanwhile, supports soldiers and veterans from the British Army, and their immediate families, in times of need. It makes grants to individuals through Regiments and Corps, and supports a wide range of specialist charities that sustain the British Army ‘family’, both at home and around the world.
I know many of you will already have charities that you sponsor, both personally and corporately, but if you are able to support us and these fantastic causes it would be very much appreciated.

Our VirginMoneyGiving page is:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GrahamEvansMPandEdwardTimpsonMP

Thank you!

'BizMums Crewe' Networking Group - Launching in May 2017

A child friendly networking group – BizMums – which supports and motivates mums in business is to launch in Crewe on Wednesday 24^th May 2017.

Part of the national BizMums social enterprise, BizMums networking events provide a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere in which self-employed mums can share what they do and make new connections.

Ongoing training opportunities and business guidance are also provided, with each monthly meeting featuring a ‘theme of the month’ presented by a guest speaker. With practical themes like organisation, marketing, money and growth, mums can also learn valuable skills to take back and apply to their own businesses.

The monthly meetings are open to self-employed mums, and the child friendly locations and format means little ones are welcome to come along too. Mums with children at school, or who are all grown up are also welcome to attend
For more information on BizMums networking and membership, visit: www.bizmums.biz / www.facebook.com/Crewebizmums

Recently, I...

• Met constituent and University of Liverpool doctoral student, Amy Ball, at the 'STEM for Britain' event at Parliament;
• Took part in a Q&A with Shavington Academy pupils, during their visit to Palace of Westminster;
• Visited 'The Hive' Youth Zone, in the Wirral, ahead of its official opening. The new facility will support young people ages 8–19, and those with disabilities;
• Opened the 'Ambitious College', at the Bernie Grants Art Centre & Pears Campus of the College of Haringey, London. The new centre will deliver exciting day education for young people with autism and complex needs;
• Met staff, governors, parents and pupils at St Thomas More High School, in Crewe, to discuss the Department for Education's consultation on the National Funding Formula;
• Had further meetings with the Minister for School Standards, Nick Gibb MP, and the Secretary of State for Education, Justine Greening MP, regarding the proposed Formula;
• Held my regular advice surgeries in Crewe and in Nantwich.

Jobs boost for Crewe
Cheshire East:

Cheshire East Council has unveiled a future vision for Crewe that seeks to bring 37,000 new jobs to the town by 2043.

Following the announcements about the proposed new HS2 hub station, Cheshire East Council – using a team led by international planners Arup and property experts CBRE – is preparing a 'masterplan', which covers areas of prime development land in central Crewe.

This plan will showcase new development opportunities, and also deliver more homes to meet the needs of local people and employers, reflecting one of the prime locations at the heart of the UK and HS2 rail network.