As we welcome in 2026, I want to wish everyone across Chester North and Neston a very happy and prosperous New Year. The start of a new year often brings a sense of fresh beginnings and a time for reflection.
Looking back on 2025, it was a year of significant investment in our area. Our local community saw a wave of new funding that will make a real difference to people’s lives. We’ve been awarded nearly £10 million to improve local bus services – this means better transport and more reliable connections for everyone in our area. With a commitment to the publicly owned Great British Rail, the freeze on rail fares and our area being chosen for a new bus franchise scheme, we have a lot to look forward to for public transport in our area.
I’m particularly excited about the £20 million ‘Pride in Place’ funding for Blacon over the next 10 years. This funding is a wonderful opportunity for the Blacon community, and in the coming year, local residents will have a chance to decide how this funding is used through a neighbourhood board. It’s an exciting time, and I’m looking forward to working with the Blacon community on this initiative.
For our motorists, it’s also been a great start to the year. We’ve secured a freeze in fuel duty, which is helping families and businesses with their cost of living. The Government has also committed £800 million for road maintenance across the North West, with an extra £57 million for Cheshire West and Chester. This will mean fewer potholes, better roads, and safer journeys for everyone. A reminder that if you spot any potholes, you can quickly report them through the Council’s Report It App.
Family services also saw a boost last year with £163,552 funding for Sure Start-style family hubs across Cheshire West and Chester. This is part of a wider effort to support families and children in our area.
We are closer than ever to devolution for Cheshire and Warrington with the election for the new role of Mayor on track for May 2027. This means £200 million annually for the next 30 years, giving us more local control over decisions that affect our area.
There’s so much to look forward to in 2026. I’ll continue to work hard for our community and to champion our local area. As always, if you need my support or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Here’s to a happy New Year ahead for us all!