WELCOME
Welcome to my latest newsletter. Please forward it to anyone else who you think would like to receive it, and they can sign up at my website (www.peterheatonjones.org.uk). If you would prefer not to receive it, please use the unsubscribe button below. And please get in touch if there are any issues you would like to discuss.
Boost for Jobs & Growth
On Monday we received the welcome news that our region is to receive £130 million from the government's Local Growth Fund. I’m always pushing for more investment for North Devon, so I am delighted with this news. By 2021, it should create at least 13,000 new jobs across Devon and Somerset with a number of exciting projects. The challenge now is to ensure that we get our fair share locally, and that's something I'll be looking at very carefully.
Not enough has been done in recent years to attract new investment to North Devon, and that's something I'm determined to change. This week's announcement shows that, thanks to the success of the Conservatives' economic plan and the hard work of local businesses, North Devon is set to see some real benefits.
North Devon Link Road
One of the schemes included in the Local Growth announcement was £1.5 million for improvements to the North Devon Link Road. This came hard on the heels of the launch of an “informal consultation” by Devon County Council, seeking our views on a number of proposed projects on the A361 and A39.
It’s important that everyone has a look at the Council’s ideas and then makes comments. Here is the link to the short consultation document, called ‘Gateway to Northern Devon’:
http://www.devon.gov.uk/gateway-to-north-devon.pdf
I broadly welcome this initiative, but I'm concerned that it doesn't go far enough. Last year I described the A361 as being 'not fit for purpose'. Last month, after a number of serious accidents and with the holiday season approaching, I launched a new campaign. My long-term ambition is to have a proper dual carriageway between Tiverton and Barnstaple.
I'm pleased that Devon County Council is now taking action, but I will be pushing for funding at a national level to have this vital road made a proper dual carriageway. It's ambitious, yes - but I think we should be ambitious in trying to secure the investment we need for North Devon.
Barnstaple’s Roads
A few weeks ago, when I wrote about the need for improvements to Barnstaple’s road system, I received a huge response. Among those who contacted me were Anne & Paul, owners and drivers of the local taxi company which bears their name. They came up with some really interesting ideas for improvements, so I asked them to take me out and show me firsthand.
On Monday, they were kind enough to give up an hour’s business and take me on a spin around Barnstaple at the start of the evening rush hour. The photo shows us about to set off from outside the Heritage Centre.
They identified a number of areas where traffic can be a real problem and which, in their professional opinion, need to be looked at. These included the area around The Square, Belle Meadow, Taw Vale and The Strand, which regular readers will already know is a big issue. They also expressed concern about the junction at the southern end of Long Bridge, and how that area will be affected by the forthcoming Asda development. Anne and Paul also made some excellent suggestions about the phasing of traffic lights, and how lane markings and signage could be improved at various places, including the newly redesigned Roundswell roundabout.
I am really grateful for their time, and will add their valuable comments to all the others that have been coming in since I raised this issue. Do let me know what you think too.
Hearing your Views
On Sunday I was delighted to be invited to the Taw Vale Beagles Puppy Show at Witheridge. It was a thoroughly enjoyable event and extremely well-attended. A great many people took the opportunity to lobby me on issues concerning our rural communities, including planning & development, farming and the environment. The most important part of my role is to listen to people and take account of their views, so this was extremely useful...and the tea was one of the best I’ve had in years!
If you would like to raise any issue with me, you can now take our short survey on the website: www.peterheatonjones.org.uk. I look forward to hearing from you.
Keep in touch
I am active on social media, which is a good way to keep up with what I am doing so please:
Follow me on Twitter: @PeterNorthDevon
Like me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PeterNorthDevon
Many thanks.
Until next week......
Peter
Peter Heaton-Jones
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
email:[email protected]
www.peterheatonjones.org.uk
Welcome to my latest newsletter. Please forward it to anyone else who you think would like to receive it, and they can sign up at my website (www.peterheatonjones.org.uk). If you would prefer not to receive it, please use the unsubscribe button below. And please get in touch if there are any issues you would like to discuss.
Boost for Jobs & Growth
On Monday we received the welcome news that our region is to receive £130 million from the government's Local Growth Fund. I’m always pushing for more investment for North Devon, so I am delighted with this news. By 2021, it should create at least 13,000 new jobs across Devon and Somerset with a number of exciting projects. The challenge now is to ensure that we get our fair share locally, and that's something I'll be looking at very carefully.
Not enough has been done in recent years to attract new investment to North Devon, and that's something I'm determined to change. This week's announcement shows that, thanks to the success of the Conservatives' economic plan and the hard work of local businesses, North Devon is set to see some real benefits.
North Devon Link Road
One of the schemes included in the Local Growth announcement was £1.5 million for improvements to the North Devon Link Road. This came hard on the heels of the launch of an “informal consultation” by Devon County Council, seeking our views on a number of proposed projects on the A361 and A39.
It’s important that everyone has a look at the Council’s ideas and then makes comments. Here is the link to the short consultation document, called ‘Gateway to Northern Devon’:
http://www.devon.gov.uk/gateway-to-north-devon.pdf
I broadly welcome this initiative, but I'm concerned that it doesn't go far enough. Last year I described the A361 as being 'not fit for purpose'. Last month, after a number of serious accidents and with the holiday season approaching, I launched a new campaign. My long-term ambition is to have a proper dual carriageway between Tiverton and Barnstaple.
I'm pleased that Devon County Council is now taking action, but I will be pushing for funding at a national level to have this vital road made a proper dual carriageway. It's ambitious, yes - but I think we should be ambitious in trying to secure the investment we need for North Devon.
Barnstaple’s Roads
A few weeks ago, when I wrote about the need for improvements to Barnstaple’s road system, I received a huge response. Among those who contacted me were Anne & Paul, owners and drivers of the local taxi company which bears their name. They came up with some really interesting ideas for improvements, so I asked them to take me out and show me firsthand.
On Monday, they were kind enough to give up an hour’s business and take me on a spin around Barnstaple at the start of the evening rush hour. The photo shows us about to set off from outside the Heritage Centre.
They identified a number of areas where traffic can be a real problem and which, in their professional opinion, need to be looked at. These included the area around The Square, Belle Meadow, Taw Vale and The Strand, which regular readers will already know is a big issue. They also expressed concern about the junction at the southern end of Long Bridge, and how that area will be affected by the forthcoming Asda development. Anne and Paul also made some excellent suggestions about the phasing of traffic lights, and how lane markings and signage could be improved at various places, including the newly redesigned Roundswell roundabout.
I am really grateful for their time, and will add their valuable comments to all the others that have been coming in since I raised this issue. Do let me know what you think too.
Hearing your Views
On Sunday I was delighted to be invited to the Taw Vale Beagles Puppy Show at Witheridge. It was a thoroughly enjoyable event and extremely well-attended. A great many people took the opportunity to lobby me on issues concerning our rural communities, including planning & development, farming and the environment. The most important part of my role is to listen to people and take account of their views, so this was extremely useful...and the tea was one of the best I’ve had in years!
If you would like to raise any issue with me, you can now take our short survey on the website: www.peterheatonjones.org.uk. I look forward to hearing from you.
Keep in touch
I am active on social media, which is a good way to keep up with what I am doing so please:
Follow me on Twitter: @PeterNorthDevon
Like me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PeterNorthDevon
Many thanks.
Until next week......
Peter
Peter Heaton-Jones
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
email:[email protected]
www.peterheatonjones.org.uk