Business of the House

Debate between Andy MacNae and Lucy Powell

Thursday 21st November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Powell]

Knowsley music festival sounds like it will be a really good night out, and I am sure that my hon. Friend will have a great evening. As she knows, this Government continue to support the grassroots music fund, which helps festivals like the one that she mentions. I am glad that she shared that with the rest of us.

[Andy MacNae (Rossendale and Darwen) (Lab)]

I wish to associate myself with all the warm tributes paid to John Prescott today. He really was an inspiration to so many of us.

A great many residents in my constituency rely on bus services, so I very much welcome this week’s statement by the Secretary of State for Transport announcing an additional £1 billion of bus funding. This new funding represents a great opportunity for our local authority to address long-standing gaps in our bus networks. In Rossendale and Darwen, these gaps often occur where routes cross local authority boundaries. In the past, a lack of joined-up thinking has meant that those routes have been the first to be restricted or cut. In my constituency, that has seriously impacted the residents of Edgeworth, Bacup and Whitworth. Does my right hon. Friend agree that to make the most of this new funding, we need transport authorities to work together, think beyond their boundaries, and recognise the wider benefits of connecting people? If necessary, can she give us time to debate this?

[Lucy Powell]

Yet again, my hon. Friend raises the important issue of transport connectivity in his constituency, which, as I well know, desperately needs more funding. He will remember that over the 14 years of the previous Government, vital bus services all but disappeared. This new funding is really welcome, but as he says, it needs to come alongside reform, so that areas can work together. We will imminently bring forward the bus reform Bill; he might want to raise those issues in debates on it.

Business of the House

Debate between Andy MacNae and Lucy Powell

Thursday 31st October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Andy MacNae (Rossendale and Darwen) (Lab)]

Businesses and commuters in Rossendale and Darwen are hampered daily by seemingly never-ending disruptive roadworks. This is not just an annoyance; it is actively holding back growth in the constituency, with major employers considering relocation. Yesterday, I attended an excellent Westminster Hall debate on this subject and was pleased to see strong cross-party consensus on the need for action. Does my right hon. Friend agree that now is the time to properly address poorly planned and overrunning roadworks? Will she provide time for further debate, if needed?

[Lucy Powell]

As ever, my hon. Friend raises a topical matter, and I know that it frustrates many constituents and Members alike when roadworks are seemingly endless and not co-ordinated. In yesterday’s Budget, the Government provided a huge boost to road maintenance budgets, which I hope will help. Additionally, we are consulting on proposals to increase penalties, and even apply charges, when works overrun.

Business of the House

Debate between Andy MacNae and Lucy Powell

Thursday 24th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Andy MacNae (Rossendale and Darwen) (Lab)]

Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. After last week, I shall heed your request for speed.

Rossendale is the only local authority area in the north without any sort of rail station or commuter link, as I may have mentioned in the House before. That cuts my constituents off from opportunity and constrains the growth of east Lancashire, despite years of hard work by the borough council—with the support of the county council and myself—on its excellent and deliverable plans for a city valley rail link. Will the Leader of the House agree to grant a debate on the delivery of that link in the context of a northern rail strategy?

[Lucy Powell]

As the MP for a nearby constituency, I know all too well how poorly served Rossendale and Rawtenstall are by transport links. I support my hon. Friend’s calls to get better transport links to his constituency. The Government are currently reviewing all that, but we are absolutely committed to supporting better northern rail links.

Business of the House

Debate between Andy MacNae and Lucy Powell

Thursday 17th October 2024 Commons Chamber

[Andy MacNae (Rossendale and Darwen) (Lab)]

I will try to be equally fast, Mr Speaker.

My constituents face dangerous speeding on the roads past their homes and schools every single day. When they raise deep concerns with the police or the council, they are too often told that not enough people have been killed or seriously injured. They rightly feel that that makes no sense. They know the risks—they see the close calls every day—so why should they wait for a neighbour to be killed before action is taken? Will the Leader of the House agree to a debate in Government time on the subject of prevention in road safety, using international best practice and new technologies?

[Lucy Powell]

My hon. Friend is a great champion for Rossendale and Darwen, and for road safety issues in his constituency. We will soon deliver an updated strategic framework for road safety—the first in over a decade—and I will ensure that a Transport Minister comes to the House to update hon. Members.