Rutland and Stamford MP Alicia Kearns on A1 safety, independence, healthcare and supporting shops
Starting this week’s update to you all with good news, the further safety improvements I’ve secured to the A1 have begun between South Witham and Little Ponton, writes Rutland and Stamford MP Alicia Kearns.
At the same time as these safety works, up to 16 central reservation crossings will also be closed thanks to our campaign, and longer-term National Highways is conducting its review of the more complex central reservation crossings such as Great Ponton to see if we can get them closed.
This is a process, but with the upgrades I secured in 2023 along the Rutland stretch of the A1, this is the most improvements we’ve seen in decades and I’m relieved our arguments are being heard.
Turning to local government re-organisation, in South Kesteven we await news about local elections and whether they will be postponed due to the Lincolnshire mayoralty being introduced. Because the Government is focused on mayoralties, we do not know whether Lincolnshire Council re-organisation will be prioritised – I will update you when we know more.
For Rutland, the Government’s plans to scrap small unitary councils risk stripping Rutlanders of our identity – worryingly ministers would not confirm to me that even our ceremonial status would be protected as they bulldoze through their re-organisation of councils.
I am holding two public meetings to share with Rutlanders all I understand currently about what the Government is proposing as we will be so severely affected. It is early days, but we know the Government wants us all to move into new enormous unitary county councils serving 500,000 people.
Many people are flabbergasted that we may find ourselves fighting for our independence again with no local say – for example instead would we rather see Rutland and South Kesteven merge together? Or Rutland, South Kesteven and Melton? Due to such high demand, I am holding two meetings. There are only few places left for February 3 - register on my website.
Improving our local healthcare services is another of my priorities. Over the last week I’ve held meetings about GP services in Stamford, and I need everyone locally to respond to NHS Lincolnshire’s integrated care board consultation on the future of healthcare in Stamford’s before January 31, so they know our needs locally, and I hope to have positive updates in coming months.
In Leicestershire, I’m relieved the Government will proceed with funding committed by the Conservative Government for two new hospitals in Leicester, a midwifery-led unit and a multi-storey car park. These will significantly ease pressures on our local health services, and reduce our waiting times. However, I know the NHS has said they’re disappointed it’s been pushed back to 2030 and I share that frustration.
January and February can be really hard for independent shops, so thank you to 2,000 of you who have already supported them by voting for ‘Rutland and Stamford’s Favourite Independent Shop’. These awards are my small way of raising the profile of our wonderful independent shops and all they do for our communities. Everyone shortlisted was nominated by our community, so please do keep the votes coming in on my website before it closes next Friday.
Finally, my campaign to secure adequate compensation for our communities affected by Government-enforced solar plants continues, and I met last week with the minister responsible for energy, Michael Shanks MP, to discuss this. It is deeply unfair that some developers currently only offer small, one-off payments to communities facing the imposition of multi-thousand acre developments like Mallard Pass.
The last Government had been working to address my calls for a mandatory minimum compensation, but unfortunately were not able to finalise plans before the election. I am hopeful the work they began will conclude, so we can receive the adequate compensation our communities deserve.