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New Blackmore Vale, 1st April 2022
blackmorevale.net
MPs’ round-up
You can put no price on freedom No one will have failed to have noticed the Cost-ofLiving crisis that is taking hold. I use initial capital letters because I think it is a serious economic event that is taking place. There are thousands of people who do not remember interest rates and inflation at anything other than very low single digits. As mortgage and credit card payments creep up, this undoubtedly will be felt. Older hands will not be as shocked. The rising prices we are all seeing in commodities, fuel and food are not unique to the UK. They seem to be being faced in all advanced economies. While the horror of Russia’s bestial actions in Ukraine is adding to the economic pressures, I am firm in my assessment that our
Conservative MP for North Dorset Simon Hoare resolve in defeating Putin should in no way be weakened by concerns of economic impact at home. My view is clear: you can put no price on freedom. So, we recently saw the
chancellor start to layout policies to try to address the pressures being faced. He is sensible to point out two things: first, we are all going to feel some pain and second no chancellor can help everyone on every issue. I warmly welcome the reduction in fuel duty – for rural North Dorset the car is an essential rather than a luxury. I welcome too the VAT zero rating on domestic energy efficiency investments. I support the Government in its twin ambitions of weaning our economy off Russian oil and gas and putting our foot hard to the floor to deliver Net Zero. Domestically produced renewable energy will deliver the energy security we desperately need. I know from my experience as a local
councillor that it is often local government that knows where help is most needed and best targeted, so it was a good move to increase funding to local government to help local communities. Could Rishi have done more? Yes. Could he have done nothing/less? In theory yes but he is not that sort of chancellor. As his response to Covid demonstrated, he is prepared to use all the levers at his disposal to mitigate and support. I know many thought he could have gone further but I have no hesitation in thinking that the Spring Statement was the start of a process and that, if it is needed (which I fear it will be), there will be further interventions to help the country get through this.
Going for green
A35 road safety
Local MP Andrew Murrison joined organiser Chris Harwood and volunteers to plant saplings and whips in Wardour near Tisbury at the weekend. The project aims to establish a wood of mixed indigenous trees. Andrew said; “Congratulations to Chris and the volunteers and many thanks to the landowner and the garden centres that generously gave the plants. “Tree planting is a vote of confidence in the future since it’ll be our children and grandchildren rather than ourselves enjoying their shade. “I hope there will be more and more small scale plantings like this. What better way to mark Her Majesty’s platinum jubilee.”
Improvements continue to be rolled out across the A35 following pressure from West Dorset MP Chris Loder, whose A35 Taskforce led the way for a comprehensive overhaul of road safety on West Dorset’s primary trunk road. Monkey’s Jump Roundabout is due for the final programme of works to be complete by the end of this month. The MP’s A-Roads Taskforce, launched in April last year, has applied pressure to National Highways to remediate the flooding and safety issues along the A35, including potholes, white lines, reflective studs and signage. Mr Loder said: “We have seen so many accidents along this road in recent years, and previously the A35 has been left behind in terms of strategic ambition. I am very pleased to see the A35 is now getting the investment and safety improvement it needs” The Phase 2 works at Monkey’s Jump Roundabout will future-proof earlier drainage works and provide landscaping to improve the aesthetic of the county town’s gateway roundabout. Additional works include remediating the flooding at Max Gate and “Enhanced Maintenance Activities” along the A35 from Bridport to Axminster to optimise visibility of signage and markings. All projects are anticipated to be completed by the end of the month, after which Mr Loder will be expecting the Duchy of Cornwall to also complete their committed road improvements.
