I have spent the summer recess travelling around the constituency. I have attended a number of surgeries in villages and also in more rural areas. I have enjoyed speaking to people and assisting them with the various issues they have raised. I was so grateful that constituents took the time to meet with me and discuss the matters that were important to them.
It’s often the little things that annoy us. The small issues that get overlooked, left and soon become big issues.
It has become evident to me as I travel around the constituency and speak to constituents, that some of these small issues, that would have taken minutes to rectify a few months ago, have become much larger and therefore more difficult to resolve.
Weeds are abundant on pavements, roadside verges and around our public buildings. The roads, especially the rural roads are visibly poorly maintained, and narrowing due to the verges encroaching- some even have vegetation down the middle. A number of constituents have contacted me about the poorly- maintained grass verges throughout the constituency which make towns and villages look untidy and uncared for.
It is incumbent upon us all to look after our environment and communities. I was pleased to see some villages are maintained well, with mowed greens, flowers in full bloom and clean signs.
Stagecoach recently announced that they are reinstating a bus service for Northside. This of course, is excellent news for Northside residents. I have campaigned for the reinstatement of this service since 2017. I want residents to appreciate the service and I will encourage them to use it.
On Monday, alongside a team of volunteers, I cleaned and painted a bus shelter on Mitchell Avenue, in preparation of the new bus service. It did not take us long and has made an improvement to the appearance of the estate.
Little improvements make a big difference to the appearance of an area and to the impression that visitors and residents have of their surroundings. The better maintained an environment, the more it is cared for and respected in the future.
I want to see all roads, verges, public buildings and facilities throughout my constituency maintained. I want my constituents to be proud of our area and to take a pride in their town or village. I want visitors to be given a good impression of our area and return because of this.
I want to know about ‘grot spots’ throughout my constituency so that I can raise these with the relevant local authority.
If we weed out the little issues as they appear, we will prevent them taking root. Together, we will make a difference.