Christmas message from Thornbury and Yate MP Luke Hall

WITH Christmas already upon us, there comes another opportunity to think about and reflect upon some of the progress we have made in the community this year, and plan for some of the challenges that lie ahead.

Whilst we defeated the Buckover ‘Garden Village’ and the plans to concrete over the Greenbelt in Coalpit Heath for now, South Gloucestershire Council have instead decided that Charfield, Pucklechurch, Alveston and other villages should accommodate a significant number of new houses.

There is a real danger with these proposals. Increasing the size of the villages has a direct impact on the pressure on our schools, health services and our road network.

The proposals would create more congestion and raise issues about road safety and the impact on local pollution levels, and in the new year I will be making that case clearly. 

We have made some progress on local transport this year. The reopening of Charfield Railway Station edges closer, half hourly train services to Bristol and Gloucester are up and running, and the new Park and Ride in South Gloucestershire is offering quick and easy access to the City Centre and Southmead Hospital.

However, the loss of many local bus services have been a real blow to our community, and I have made the case to South Gloucestershire Council and the West of England Mayor that this is a false economy and will leave residents isolated. 

Thornbury Health Centre has (finally) taken a big step forward. Following a long campaign, the Government have signed off 10 per cent of the money we need to rebuild the Health Centre, so we can get the project moving.

This is good news, but the fight for the rest of the money has already started. I will not let this go until we have the health services our community needs. 

We also had good news for local schools this year, with school funding in South Gloucestershire set for a record boost, to its highest ever level. Here in the Thornbury and Yate constituency, record funding will reach over £60 million.

And of course, we continue to fight to protect local businesses. South Gloucestershire Council have taken the wrong decision to introduce car parking charges. All this will do is penalise motorists, push cars into parking in the surrounding roads and force customers to shop elsewhere. I will keep opposing the council’s plans they are so determined to introduce. 

I have also written to the Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset, to call for Yate and Sodbury to receive their fair share of police officers and resources. We have recruited over 450 new police officers in our area, and we will make sure our communities are made safer.

As a local man who was born in Southmead Hospital and brought up in the area, it has been a privilege to represent our community throughout 2023.

The work continues in 2024. For now, though can I wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas, and Happy and Peaceful New Year.