Rt Hon Stephen McPartland MP
Working hard for you
in Stevenage, Knebworth, Codicote, Datchworth and Aston

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, is delighted with the Prime Minister's announcement about improving traffic flow on our section of the A1(M).

Stephen said, "This is absolutely fantastic news and I am delighted with the Prime Minister’s announcement that the Government is going to implement hard shoulder running to improve traffic flow on our section of the A1(M). I knew we were close to getting the deal and it has been so hard keeping the news quiet, but we had to make sure there would be no last minute hiccups. I know how tense the final days of any major infrastructure project are, as I have already secured over £280 million of infrastructure investment from the government for our local schools, hospital, housing and jobs.

"I am very proud we have managed to make this a reality as I know this has been a major issue for the last twenty years and we now have a start date of 2014. There really is a light at the end of the tunnel now for all of us who have sat in traffic jams over the years, however this is just the start. This project will reduce the delays experienced on the northbound A1(M) between Junction 6 and 7. The scheme will convert the existing hard shoulder at and north of the slip road at Junction 6 into a running lane to just north of Pottersheath overbridge. This will also include the installation of one gantry spanning both carriageways, two variable message signs, in-road loops CCTV and speed enforcement cameras.

"If local people judge the scheme to be a success then we will have the momentum and evidence we need to successfully campaign for hard shoulder running to be extended further northbound and southbound. We finally have the start we needed and I am proud to have helped make this a reality."

 

Stephen said, "I'm shocked ClinicentaCarrillion are trying to claim everything is ok at the Surgicentre when it clearly is not. The staff are doing a great job, but they are being failed by the way in which the contract is being managed. The Primary Care Trust have made it clear they do not want doctors to refer new patients to the Opthamology Service and the Care Quality Commission has serious concerns about the facility.

"I have met with the Chief Executive of the Care Quality Commission this week to discuss my concerns regarding the management of the ClinicentaCarrillion-owned Surgicentre.

"I explained they have lost the faith of the local medical professionals and the local community. They are not up to the job and the quality of care available to my constituents is just not good enough. I asked the Care Quality Commission to take action and seriously consider removing their licence to provide healthcare in the UK."

Stevenage MP, Stephen McPartland, re-opened the Stevenage Judo Club at its new venue at Marriotts School last week.

Stephen said, "I was honoured to be asked to formally mark the relocation of this outstanding club to its new home at Marriotts school. It was a fantastic event with almost 100 people present of all ages, with a good number joining the club on the evening.I had great fun taking part in a few demonstrations and really enjoyed having a go. Anyone who is interested in Judo as a sport or means of keeping fit should get in touch with the club, which has a great family atmosphere."The club holds regular sessions every Monday and Friday evening between 6.30pm and 8pm at Marriotts and welcomes all to join, of whatever standard or age, adult and children.

 

Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage, joined an afternoon packed full of activities held at the Bedwell Crescent home of Roz and Graham Whitfield which raised over £500 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.  Activities included quizzes, craft stall and a piper, as well as tombola and homemade refreshments.

Stephen said, "It was very kind of Roz and Graham to open their home for such a good cause. I very much enjoyed meeting many of the local people who dropped in and donated so generously, which is a great example of the wonderful community spirit we have here in Stevenage."

Roz said, "We have raised more than £500, our best yet!  Many, many thanks to Stephen for coming to our MS fund raising afternoon, a lot of people were thrilled to meet him and we have already pencilled you in for next year."

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, said, "I met face to face with the Managing Director of London Luton Airport at Westminster and heard details of their new Master Plan for the proposed expansion of the airport.

"Following the meeting, I have made a submission to the consultation process on the expansion plan and I would urge anyone with concerns about the proposed expansion or the process to make a submission before the consultation period ends on Friday, 12th October 2012.

"I know many local people value the airport but the master plan outlines an increase from around 10 million passengers per year to 18 million passengers per year. This is a huge increase and I explained that local people already suffer from the noise generated by overflying aircraft which will only increase with the proposed expansion.

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, along with local actor Bradley Clarkson, joined participants and volunteers for the Hertfordshire Memory Walk 2012 at Fairlands Valley in aid of the Alzheimer's Society. 

Stephen said, "The turnout for the event was absolutely amazing and showed the massive support locally for this great cause. It is clear that this condition is affecting more and more people with most families experiencing the illness in a loved one. I was proud to help raise awareness of this event and will continue to campaign in Parliament to ensure we invest in providing the best possible care to those affected by Alzheimer's."

Over 200 people took part, walking either 2km around the lakes or 10km route through the nearby woods, and raised an estimated £15,000 which will be used to help local people with dementia and their carers.

Christ The King church in Symonds Green was the venue for an early Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning, organised by Chrissy Cass and other volunteers.

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, was invited along and said, "It was a real pleasure to attend the first of many Macmillan Coffee mornings which raise huge amounts of money to help families. The event was packed with people of all ages and we had a lot of fun. I would like to thank the volunteers who made this happen 2 weeks early so some of our students could be involved before they head back to University."

Chrissy commented, "It was a very successful day. It was very busy up until about 1pm and then a trickle of people from then onwards. We managed to raise a total of £329.15. We were left with some cakes which we distributed amongst the children who were dancing in the community centre next door and the residents of Blakeney House. This was our third coffee morning for Macmillan atChrist The King and I fully intend to do another next year."

 

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage, listened first hand to Mr Moumen's account of his daughter Yasmine's tragic death on 21st December 2010.  Yasmine was crossing Monkswood Way in Stevenage with her mother and using the green man lights pedestrian crossing at the junction with North Herts College and ASDA.

Stephen said, "My deepest sympathy is with Mr and Mrs Moumen who lost their daughter in such tragic circumstances. I cannot begin to imagine the pain they are suffering and the strength it takes to accept the loss of a child. I do believe more needs to be done to improve safety at this crossing to try and prevent other further incidents. I would like to hear from any of your readers who have experienced difficulty and close calls when using this crossing. While we were discussing the incident I was approached by a couple of older members of our community who were wary of the crossing and felt it was not safe."

Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage, said, "It is really exciting to be here today and start breaking ground with the builders. It has been a real journey from meeting with Ministers to secure the money to now, the point where the work starts on building our new Accident and Emergency at the Lister Hospital. This project costs £19million and is one of eleven we are undertaking as part of a massive investment in our local hospital."

Stephen added, "We are very lucky the Lister is already a centre of excellence, and I am proud of the staff who save liveson a day-to-day basis. This development has been made in consultation with the staff and patients to ensure we continue to provide the best health care possible to our local community. I am proud of the NHS and proud of the £250 million infrastructure investment that I have secured from the government for our local hospital, schools, housing and jobs."

Am I your MP?

 

90 Second Survey

Please give me your views in 90 seconds here.

Help Stephen

There are lots of ways to get involved and some only take an hour or two, once or twice a year. Please let me know how you can help here.

Town Centre Petition

Sign the petition for new shops instead of fancy new Council Offices here.

Parking Petition

Join my campaign for 3 hours free parking in Stevenage Town Centre and sign the petition here.

My Newsletter

Please sign up for my Newsletter here

My Expenses

Full details of my expenses are available on IPSA's website by accessing their database and searching under Stephen McPartland.

Follow Me On Twitter

Facebook

Photo Gallery

201230_Brexit.jpg