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| Bury Free Press, 22 June 2005 |
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| Moreton Hall is a desirable place to live. It attracts families from all over the country and has already developed a real community feel and spirit. Every time I visit, it is a pleasure. |
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| Can it be even better as we go forward? Yes, it can. Over the last few years new facilities have sprung up. A new church – Christ Church Moreton Hall – under the fine leadership of the Rev Jonathan Ford; excellent retail outlets, the community centre and there is more to come. |
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| The new school, an enlarged nursery school and a new youth centre will all help to create a greater sense of togetherness in the area. |
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| I am pleased to have had the opportunity to campaign alongside so many enthusiastic local people working tirelessly to make Moreton Hall a better place to live. |
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| I saw that at first hand when Tesco originally said they would simply close the post office at Lawson's Parade. |
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| Moreton Hall residents rose as one and got me involved. Together we put together a plan to move the post office to the community centre – and to get Tesco to pay for it! |
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| It was people power at work. Moreton Hall should be proud of itself. |
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| But there are other huge challenges for Moreton Hall. |
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| Congestion on the A14 at the eastern interchange is getting beyond a joke – and not just at peak times. |
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| I raised this at a meeting I held with the chairman of the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and I am lobbying both Suffolk County Council and the Highways Agency to get them to look at ways of reducing the congestion at the A14 interchanges in Bury. |
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| If this means road widening then we must look seriously at this option. |
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| EEDA exists to promote economic and transport development within the region and the Moreton Hall area must get more constructive help from them. |
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| I want to see the young in Moreton Hall grow into adulthood having the chance to get high quality jobs in our town instead of having to commute. So I want to attract young, growing and high-tech businesses. |
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| In getting EEDA to come to Bury, to see and hear for themselves what we have to offer, I hope we can create a spirit of optimism for a prosperous future. |
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| Transport projects take time to get moving. It has taken two decades to get the death trap Rookery Crossroads made safer with a new flyover. This will undoubtedly benefit Moreton Hall residents. |
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| Another solution, in my view, is a new park and ride scheme to relieve pressure on the interchanges. |
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| It could help to reduce the number of cars going in and out of the town. |
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| Some are talking of a new southern bypass – this also needs looking into properly. |
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| Better local bus services are important for those living on Moreton Hall and we must continue seeking improvements. |
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| I am pleased with the recently signed Quality Bus Partnership that puts in place an agreement on much needed improvements in bus services between the borough council, the county council and First Buses. I am continuing to chair regular meetings with all those involved to ensure these promised improvements are delivered. |
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| I know from the amount of time I have spent on Moreton Hall what a great place it is to live and work. |
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| I want to do everything in my power to make certain that it has an even better environment, facilities and transport in the future. Moreton Hall, I know, will face that future with confidence. |
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