The Easter holidays are over for another year, and some of you will have taken the opportunity to travel over the break, perhaps to see family or friends or to take a holiday.
Good travel links are important to us all, whether that’s for getting to work or a place of study, for shopping or getting to medical appointments, or for travelling further afield. That’s why a key part of my six-point plan for Halesowen & Rowley Regis is to improve our local transport links.
Over the past few months, many drivers have been driven potty by potholes, and my team and I have reported a large number to Dudley and Sandwell Councils. I welcome that the Government are investing £8.3bn to fix the blight of potholes, enough to resurface over 5,000 miles of roads in England, which is in addition to over £5bn invested since the start of this Parliament on highway maintenance investment.
Many people rely on our local buses, and when a route is threatened with being withdrawn it causes considerable concern for users. When the 002 service, which runs from Weoley Castle to Merry Hill, was in danger of being axed last year, I supported a petition from local Councillor Stuart Henley and worked with West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, to encourage Diamond Bus to rethink their proposals.
Last year, many residents living on or around Station Road in Old Hill raised concerns with me about the length of time roadworks were taking, following structural repairs. Whilst we all accept that necessary roadworks are going to cause some delay and disruption, the length of time was causing real angst. Following pressure on Sandwell Council, I urged for the works to be concluded speedily, and whilst I appreciate there may be some disruption at times, I am pleased that traffic has now been able to pass through.
I will keep fighting for better connectivity and transport links, ensuring that we can all get around safely and smoothly.
This article first appeared in the Halesowen & Dudley News on 18th April 2024.
