Swindon has an unparalleled history when it comes to the railways and that I why I believe our town is the perfect choice to host the new headquarters for Great British Railways.
As part of the Conservative Government’s commitment to level up the country, the new location will be based outside London and will bring high-skilled jobs to the winning location with Great British Railways becoming the single, accountable body responsible for running Britain’s railways.
This is a fantastic opportunity for Swindon and I will be working closely with Justin Tomlinson MP, the Council and others to ensure that we put forward the strongest possible case to the Government.
I was delighted on Saturday to give my full support to the Old Town Business Association’s new ‘Friends of Old Town’ discount initiative, where if you donate £10 or more to become a member, you will be able to get money off and find deals in your favourite local places.
100% of the donations received through this fantastic initiative will be spent on the funding the annual Old Town events hosted by Business Association.
More information, including how to sign up, can be found via the following link: www.thisisoldtown.com/friends.
Over the weekend I was able to join members of the Westlea Church Litter Picking Group, Cllr Suresh Gattapur and the leader of the Swindon Nepalese Community, Gyan Gurung, out helping to keep the West Swindon community clean and tidy.
These litter picking sessions are a brilliant way of meeting new people and giving back to the community, so please keep an eye out for future dates on social media.
One of the main concerns raised with me by residents right across West Swindon is speeding cars, particularly at anti-social hours along roads like Whitehill Way. This is an issue I am working closely with the Police & Crime Commissioner and local ward councillors on tackling.
I am pleased that as part of these efforts, Russell Holland, the Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner is calling on people to consider forming a Community Speed Watch group, similar to the successful ones operating in Wroughton and the surrounding villages.
Members would volunteer to use speed monitoring guns after receiving training from the police and traps would be put in problem areas.
Anybody who would like to find out can visit: https://www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/the-pcc-and-you/get-involved/community-speedwatch/.
On Sunday we marked 70 since Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne, following the dead of her father, King George VI.
Her Majesty The Queen becomes the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee and we give thanks for her dedicated service to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth over the past 70 years.
