Welcome to my June update. I’d like to start off this month’s update by highlighting the positive news for our area in the Spending Review: Cheshire West and Chester Council is one of two pilot areas for bus franchising; extending the £3 bus fare cap; investment into the Padeswood Sidings which will free up capacity on the Wrexham-Bidston line serving Neston; support for the Nuclear Industry which secures the supply chain including Urenco at Capenhurst; a record cash investment in the NHS increasing real-terms, day to day spending by 3% per year; investing £39 billion over the next decade in a new Affordable House Plan; and free school meals being extended to more than half a million more children. Much more will be announced in the coming weeks and months.
I hope you find this email newsletter interesting.
Recently, I met with officials at Cheshire West and Chester Council to discuss the progress on repairing the city walls, It’s been a long process but work is now visibly underway.
This month we’ve been blessed with mostly good weather, which has made for some fantastic events in Chester North & Neston, with the fabulous Neston Ladies Day Walk avoiding most of the rain. This event is always a highlight in my calendar and a tribute to the community spirit of Neston residents.
In Chester, I had the honour of joining the Lord Mayor, Duke of Gloucester, Pete Waterman and other dignitaries in joining the Thomas Brassey Society’s official unveiling celebrations for the Statue outside Chester Railway Station. Thomas Brassey, was born in 1805, a Chester local and one of the greatest railway builders of the 19th century—responsible for a third of the UK’s railways and major projects across Europe and beyond. His 40-year career left a lasting mark on global engineering including the 1848Chester Railway Station.
I enjoyed meeting with Transport Minister, Lord Hendy to discuss the Government’s plans to build on Thomas Brassey’s rail building legacy with key improvements to the North Wales and Wrexham-Bidston lines which will improve the rail services to Chester and Neston. I also raised the ongoing performance issues of Avanti West Coast.
The Government’s good news on transport isn’t limited to those who love our railways but also the millions who use our buses every day. I’m incredibly proud that Cheshire West and Chester is one of only two Councils across the country who have been selected for the pilot scheme on bus franchising. I’m encouraging constituents to complete my Bus Survey as the Better Buses Bill continues its progress through Parliament.
The summer is also a great time to utilise the fantastic walks and green spaces across Chester North & Neston. Earlier this month I had the honour of attending a fundraising event at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd which continues to provide incredible care for local residents. I’m organising a charity walking tour of Chester, partnered with our fantastic Visitor Information Centre, if you’d like to be involved please do get in touch.
The summer is a great time to visit RSPB Burton Mere, the site is a haven for wildlife and the rangers do an incredible job of helping birds thrive. The café is a great place to relax and admire the beautiful part of the world we live in. This month I met with DEFRA Secretary, Steve Reed MP to discuss the measures the Government is taking to end the dumping of raw sewage in our rivers and estuaries.
Another incredible location to admire the River Dee is at the Harp Inn. This is one of many pubs and bars that make Chester and Neston so popular with domestic and international visitors. In Westminster, I met with the CEO of Admiral Taverns to discuss the success of their pubs in Chester.
It’s going to be another exciting summer in Chester and Neston, following the end of this years Heritage Festival and the Chester Green Weekend we can now look forward to the second ever Chester Festival of Ideas, there’s some exciting events and I’d encourage residents to attend these fascinating talks.
In Neston, I enjoyed attending the CH64 Community Awards event which celebrates the magnificent contribution of Neston & Parkgate residents to improving our community. In Chester, I enjoyed joining the Booking.com event at Chester Zoo to celebrate the recognition of Chester as one of the most welcoming cities in the World, the Chester BID play a big role in ensuring local businesses play a central role in our city.
It was great to visit and meet Warren from Chester Pride at the wonderful Rainbow Tea Rooms. I’ve been contacted by many constituents concerned with the recent Supreme Court ruling and it was helpful to discuss this and others issues facing the LGBTQ+ community in Chester North and Neston – and right across the UK.
Earlier this month I visited St. Oswald’s in Mollington. The pupils were enthusiastic and proud of our area. In September, they will be operating a free breakfast club as part of the Government’s support for young people. I also met with pupils from Upton High in Westminster who were highlighting the importance of education across the globe, it’s meetings like this that fill me with optimism for our future.
Finally, I’d like to direct readers to my latest contribution in the House of Commons, As Vice-Chamberlain of HM Household I am restricted from speaking in the House, unless sharing a message from the King like in this instance. This role does however provide excellent access to Government Ministers allowing me to champion our constituency and issues raised by residents directly with Ministers.
I’d also like to remind residents that our great local Councillors and I continue to hold surgeries and events in the constituency to help resolve issues raised by local residents. These can be booked through contacting my office.
As always, if you have any ideas or issues, please get in touch at samantha.dixon.mp@parliament.uk
With best wishes
Samantha Dixon MBE, MP
Chester North & Neston