Page 62 - Phonebox Magazine March 2011

Out and About with Mark Lancaster
Our local MP
ReadeRs may RemembeR that last month I raised the issue of power cuts in the rural areas of milton Keynes North. It followed a blackout in the North Crawley area at the start of the year, which affected 2,000 homes. after writing to energy supplier eon Central Networks, I was delighted to be told that improvement works are being brought forward. The managing director also told me about a Priority service Register, a list of those who are particularly vulnerable which is compiled in case of emergency. after all, to some people power cuts are a nuisance; to the elderly and disabled they can be distressing and even dangerous. The persistent power cuts, about which I have received many complaints, are compounded by the fact that many houses are not connected to the mains gas supply. I wrote to residents to promptly update them on this matter (due to a computer glitch, some households received more than one letter, for which I apologise), and I am now further pursuing eon to find out what other upgrades are due. I actually witnessed the problem first hand when I visited stoke Goldington for a meal at the White Hart, only for a power cut – the third that day – to plunge us into darkness. This is not good enough; I will continue to push the matter until we see an improvement.
Last month I was lucky enough to visit Olney middle school, during which I was grilled by a classroom of 90 year six pupils. These ten and 11-year-olds posed some of the hardest questions I have faced: ‘If you could change one thing, what would it be?’ was probably the most thought-provoking. a truly mature and inquisitive group, it was a delight to spend a session with them. I have visited the majority of schools in my constituency over the last five and a half years, but if I haven’t come to yours – or you would like to invite me again – then my contact details are below.
Mark speaking to 90 year 6s at Olney Middle School.
One phrase that has been in the news a lot recently is the big society. but the concept is not new in milton Keynes. It is an ideology we already subscribe to: for example with the Food bank, which gives parcels to the neediest people in our community, and the Credit Union, which provides financial stability for those who need it. as if to prove my point, in the week that the Prime minister decided to reiterate his backing for a society which embraces volunteering and commits to building community cohesion, he honoured one of our own organisations for turning an old bus station into a community hub for young people. so a massive congratulations to make a difference, whose buszy is a fantastic facility, and one for which our city is rightly being recognised.
you know the expression: you wait for a bus and then three come along at once. Well in milton Keynes we have waited three years for a Coachway and one fantastic facility has finally arrived. I opened the new building with fellow milton Keynes mP Iain stewart recently and
was highly
impressed.
someone
asked me why
I thought it
was necessary
to replace the
old structure.
anyone who
had visited the
previous
portacabin set-
up which
constituted
milton Keynes
Coachway
would not fail
to agree that something needed to be done – especially as it is the second busiest coach interchange in the UK. moreover, this is a mode of transport we want to encourage – the most environmentally friendly, in fact. The C02 emissions from a coach are far less than that of a plane, car or even train. excellent facilities like this will no doubt coax people back onto coaches.
Mark unveiling the plaque at the Coachway alongside Andrew Cleaves, Cllr Vanessa McPake and Iain Steward MP.
Mark at Brooklands with Simon Elcock, project director of Places for People.
Nearby we have a brand new estate: brooklands. The last time I visited the site it was an expanse of mud and fields. Now, a school has opened, trees have been planted, and new houses are starting the take shape. This is a community of the future, and I am delighted to see the developers have heeded my call for infrastructure before expansion.
62 Phonebox Magazine
Mark speaking in an earlier Parliamentary debate.
ContaCt information:
mark Lancaster tD mP
Suite 102, milton Keynes Business Centre, foxhunter Drive, Linford Wood, milton Keynes mK14 6GD
tel: 01908 686830