Shailesh Vara MP has written to Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire County Council, urging him to consider putting safety barriers along the River Nene in Ramsey.

 

Two years ago, Natalie Scotchford tragically drowned in the River Nene and her friends are now campaigning for the location of the accident to be made safer. Rebecca Elliott-Peck has contacted Mr Vara following which he has written to Mr Lloyd asking him to look into the feasibility of putting up safety barriers along this treacherous piece of road.

 

Mr Vara said:

 

“This is a site on the River Nene which took away the life of Natalie Scotchford, a young woman who had so much to live for. It is important that we do all we can to prevent future tragedies and I have therefore asked the county council to look into the feasibility of putting up safety barriers along this part of the river.

 

I commend Rebecca and her friends in trying to ensure that future tragedies are avoided.”

 

Rebecca Elliott-Peck added:

 

“To put into words how much this campaign means to myself and so many others is not done with ease. However, I will start by saying we are not the first to fight for such protection along this river and until something has been done I can assure you we will not be the last.

 

Protecting the community from any more devastating losses in future is the reason for this campaign and we fight for those who have lost their lives. Many blame the drivers, but never will we be able to 100% guarantee that people will drive with the utmost care. That being the case, the punishment for those that may have had that moment of not being in control should never be a high risk of death.

 

Barriers, no matter the cost, will save lives and provide safer roads for those living in the area, I and many others believe that is vital. How many more will we have to lose before we realise enough is enough? We need to act now.” 

 

Shailesh Vara MP has today spoken with Mr Graham Perry, President of MasterCard Prepaid Management Services, following the company’s announcement of proposed redundancies at its centre in Hampton, Peterborough.

 

Mr Vara urged Mr Perry to give a precise figure as to the number of people who will be affected and whilst Mr Perry would not commit to this, saying that he wanted his staff to be told first of the numbers involved, he said it was substantially less than the figure that has been previously referred to.

 

Mr Perry also assured Mr Vara that MasterCard had every intention to continue in Peterborough and given that some of their work is of a seasonal nature, he hoped the impact on permanent staff would be kept to a minimum.

 

To the extent that there will be redundancies, Mr Vara sought assurances that the individuals affected would receive all the help possible to find alternative employment and where necessary individuals would be offered retraining. Mr Perry gave this assurance. He also confirmed that MasterCard would organise jobs fairs to which other local employers who are seeking to take on more people would be invited.

 

Mr Vara commented:

 

“I had a very constructive conversation with Mr Perry and whilst I remain disappointed that he will not provide a specific number of the people affected, he has given me his assurance that it is substantially less than the figure that has previously been referred to. I have made clear to Mr Perry that in the interests of transparency and certainty, he should disclose the number as soon as possible.

 

“It is of course regrettable that there will be some redundancies. I am however pleased that Mr Perry has given me his assurance that those affected will receive help to find alternative employment, including having jobs fairs to which other local employers will be invited. Additionally, Mr Perry has agreed to provide retraining for some individuals where it is appropriate to do so.”

 

Shailesh Vara MP has written Mr Simon Ridley, the Chief Executive of the Planning Inspectorate, following an appeal by Hamerton Zoo Park to the Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government for permission to build two further wind turbines at the Zoo Park.

 

Mr Vara is concerned that the time period for members of the public to make their submissions (5 weeks from 24th July 2015) is during the peak holiday season and he has asked for an extension to this timeframe. Moreover, Mr Vara has made clear that although the consultation period commenced on 24th July, local residents only received notification of this on 5th August 2015, nearly 2 weeks already into the consultation period.

 

The appeal by Hamerton Zoo Park follows a decision by Huntingdonshire District Council to turn down an application for two 50 kW turbines with a hub height of 36.4m and height to the tip of 46m.

 

Mr Vara said: - 

 

“This application is hugely unpopular locally and the original application was rightly turned down by Huntingdonshire District Council. Hamerton Zoo Park is entitled to make an appeal but in the interests of fairness, members of the public should have a proper opportunity to make their submissions and to be told they have a 5 week period to do so during the peak holiday season is simply not right. Nor is it right that residents were informed of the consultation nearly 2 weeks after the consultation period had started. I hope common sense will prevail and there will be a suitable additional period allowed for the public to make their views known.”

 

Mrs Fiona Anderson, Chairman of Hamerton & Steeple Gidding Parish Council added:

 

“The Parish has made its views very clear about this proposed development and is sure that Huntingdonshire District Council’s decision to reject the original application was the right one. This small village is in a peaceful and beautiful part of the Northern Wolds with rare species, including Red Kites, two listed Churches and a medieval settlement and views are already dominated by the Woolley Hill turbines as well as the existing ones at the Zoo. HDC turned down the application as they recognised their cumulative impact on the landscape and the lack of a full ecological assessment for the site. We hope the Secretary of State will respect the views of local people.”