These covered his work as the Member of Parliament for Chelsea & Fulham as well as his Ministerial work as Minister for Trade Policy and Minister for London.
Locally, I have received some very positive news from Marks & Spencer about their intentions to remain at the current location even if the planned redevelopment of their premises on the King’s Road goes ahead. I have also published the results of my Summer Survey and my SW6 Traffic Survey – I am always keen to hear local views and you can read more about these results in this bulletin and on my website.
This week I was honoured to speak at an event, hosted by developer St. George in Parliament, celebrating 25 years of Imperial Wharf. The Imperial Wharf development is located right at the border between Chelsea and Fulham and I have been involved in this huge project for over 25 years now: First as Hammersmith & Fulham Councillor and from 2005 as the local Member of Parliament.
Last week, I received the very positive news from Post Office Ltd that they have an applicant for the Fulham Post Office. I have been campaigning hard on this local issue – residents need a Post Office. Post Office Ltd have told me that they are now working as quickly as possible with the applicant and I will of course keep residents updated.
This week, it was confirmed the Brunswick Club for Young People will continue to receive council funding. Earlier this year, Labour-run LBHF suddenly cut the club’s funding. Together with local Conservative Councillors I campaigned to have this vital funding re-instated. 2,837 residents signed my petition and the Council have listened to this local protest.
Over the summer, I had the pleasure of launching my Summer Survey, seeking your views on local and national issues. I am never complacent about improving our local area, with the main part of my job being campaigning on issues that are important to Chelsea and Fulham residents. I look forward to the upcoming Parliamentary session.
Constituents began to feel the impact of the closure of the Wandsworth Bridge, and the devastating impact on other traffic bottlenecks across Fulham and Chelsea. The closure is planned to continue for 10 weeks, creating enormous disruption to those who use the bridge frequently, including those on the 28, C3 and 295 buses, as well as placing further strain across south Fulham.
Last Friday, I presented my petition to Save the North End Road Post Office to the Post Office. I would like to thank all those who took the time to add their signature to this important petition. I continue to urge the Post Office to fulfil the pledge they made in 2003 to keep a major branch on or just off the North End Road. It would be devastating for local residents if no alternative location could be found for this Post Office branch.
Last weekend, I was able to catch-up with hard-working, local business owners along the Wandsworth Bridge Road. It was worrying to hear about their thoughts on Labour H&F Council's ill thought-through traffic scheme, and how it is currently negatively impacting their businesses. Transport for London (TfL) have finally published their plans for our local bus routes during the upcoming full closure of Wandsworth Bridge. Buses will stop either side of the bridge and passengers are being asked to walk across the one-way walkways.
Earlier this week, we celebrated 75 years of the NHS. As part of the NHS celebration, it was an honour to attend a reception at No10 Downing Street, with Lee Watson who is Director of Nursing at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital. The hospital is itself celebrating its 30th anniversary in Chelsea.
As you may know, improving safety at the dangerous northern junction of Battersea Bridge has been a long-standing concern of mine. Therefore, I am pleased that Transport for London (TfL) have published their report on the Battersea Bridge safety improvements scheme consultation and that we will finally see action materialise.
