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Village Church Tops Turnout For MP
(August 03, 2021)Dr Andrew Murrison MP spent last week bringing his surgery to many of the smaller communities in his South West Wiltshire constituency which saw village halls, pubs, shops and churches become his temporary office.
On Wednesday afternoon he met local residents and parish councillors at Heytesbury and Codford finding a wide range of local issues and individual casework which he and his team are now tackling.
After a brief introduction to his ‘rural rides’ initiative and his belief in ‘localism’ the long-serving MP faced fly-tipping as the first issue raised.
“There is a lay-by where I regularly go out with a bin-liner at the entrance to Westbury,” replied Andrew. “It is surprising how it fills up with so many things!”
Teenager Ruben Osborne raised the re-opening of railway stations which he researched explaining the effect the closure of them during the ‘Beeching’ era.
“Only two are being opened in Wiltshire and just one in your constituency,” said the 13-year-old.
The MP sympathised saying that viability was the problem and revealed that he went along with supporting HS2 but now feels that the money it was costing could possibly be better spent improving the service in the South West.
“I know that MPs in the north of England can get to the House of Commons quicker than me,” said Andrew.
The A36 junction with the B390 Chitterne road at Knook drove the meeting in a new direction.
“I think that the 40 miles-per-hour speed limit needs to be extended,” said Knook councillor Vanessa Sturmey.
“I think you are still owed a response and there is a time frame for remediation,” responded Andrew. “This section of road is going to be levelled out and I will get back to you.”
Rodney Mullins made an impassioned appeal to the MP to take an interest in Heytesbury football club which has problems caused by only having a one-year licence for their home.
Stonehenge, business rates, listed buildings, solar panels and heat pumps all kept the MP busy at the parish church which had the highest attendance of the eight villages visited that day.
The MP was thanked by parish council chairwoman Loiuse Morris (left) and church warden Christine Sitwell who hosted the event at the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Church in the High Street.
The next stop was the village hall in Codford.
Residents there were concerned about sports being ‘poorly supported’, planning permissions for large executive homes, young families being unable to find places to live, and resurfacing the A36. The cost of holding the Police and Crime Commissioner election for a second time was brought up.
“I am concerned about the election commissioner election costing us all locally £1.4million,” challenged one resident.
“We are left holding the baby!”
“I am hoping that funding will be put on the national tab,” replied Andrew.
At both villages the MP offered the chance for a private chat about personal issues after the public session.
“Roads were the chief concern across the constituency with planning issues and the proposed Westbury incinerator featuring prominently. Access to primary care also came up a lot,” said Andrew.
Plans are already underway to do the rounds again.
“I’m in the three main towns I represent all the time but people in villages need to feel their local MP is present there too and that they also have ready access,” promised Andrew.
“During the pandemic it has been a challenge and we’ve all had to find new ways of working but in this job there’s no substitute for face-to-face.
“I’m so grateful to residents, venues and parish councils for making the week work so well."