Andy Burnham's one minute manifesto for Leigh

Labour will guarantee neighbourhood policing in every way

Labour has set out plans to protect neighbourhood policing. We are identifying savings which will enable police forces to safeguard over 10,000 police officers over the next three years and legislating to introduce a new Local Policing Commitment, which makes sure police forces guarantee neighbourhood policing in every area.

To safeguard over 10,000 police officers, Labour will make £800 million worth of efficiency savings including scrapping expensive police and crime commissioners; ending the police subsidy of gun licenses; and mandating joint procurement and sharing support services. The Tories have ruled out all of these savings and only have a plan to cut more police.

Alongside the commitment to protect over 10,000 police officers from the cuts, Labour’s Crime and Justice Manifesto sets out plans to:

• Put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system – by introducing the country’s first ever Victims’ Law.
• Prevent crime before it occurs
• Tackle child sexual exploitation and violence against women and girls
• Build a justice system fit for the 21st Century 
• Tackle extremism and the threat of terrorism

Because of the Conservatives’ decisions, neighbourhood policing – the foundation of good British policing – is at risk of disappearing, whilst increasing numbers of serious criminals are being let off the hook.

Labour has a better plan. We will make different choices, finding savings to safeguard 10,000 officers in the next three years. We will ensure victims are at the heart of the criminal justice system with the country’s first ever Victims’ Law. And we will ensure the police have the powers they need to keep us safe, including proper controls for dangerous terror suspects.

Campaign Launch on Bradshawgate

There was a fantastic turnout for my campaign launch as I seek re-election in the General Election to be held on Thursday, 7th May and bid to keep Leigh a Labour seat in Parliament.

I was joined by Councillors and Labour Party members from across the Leigh area and it was great to meet local people to talk about Labour's better plan for Leigh and the country.

It has been a privilege to be the Member of Parliament for Leigh since 2001.

This election is one of the most important general elections there has been in modern times. Over the past five years we have seen living standards decline as wages have stagnated. Families will end up worse off at the end of this Parliament this year than they were at the start in 2010.

A Labour government elected in May will have the right priorities and will take the decisions necessary to improve the lives of people across Leigh and the country - we will reform the energy market, freeze gas and electricity bills until 2017, impose a Mansion tax on the most expensive homes, and use those funds to build an NHS with the time to care. This election is about which direction the UK will take, and who will form the next Government of the UK – and if people want a Labour Government, the only certain way to achieve that is by voting Labour on 7 May.

Are you registered to vote. It only takes a few minutes and can be done online at the link here. If you wish to vote by post you can download a form here.

My Letter to Nigel Farage

I have today sent a letter to Nigel Farage which can be viewed online here.

Supporting Whizz-Kidz

I met two very special people at the home of Everton FC ahead of my London Marathon challenge

For Whizz-Kidz, I am raising money specifically for two young people in Merseyside – Jacob aged 3 from Prescot, and Dan, 19 from Bootle – changing their lives with vital new mobility equipment that gives them independence.

I’m really pleased to be running the London Marathon for Whizz-Kidz, and to be able to support two young disabled people in the North West to get the equipment they need is fantastic. Previously, I met a young man who plays for Everton in the Community wheelchair league – using his Whizz-Kidz sports wheelchair which I think is a great link between my chosen charities.

Money raised for Everton in the Community by Andy will specifically be used to support ‘Pass on the Memories’ – a pioneering programme delivered by Everton in the Community, in partnership with Mersey Care NHS Trust, to support people living with dementia and their carers.

You can support my fundraising efforts by visiting my Justgiving Page.

Whizz-Kidz is a national charity and leading provider of mobility equipment, including powered and lightweight wheelchairs, life skills training and advice and support for disabled children, young people and their families.

Whizz-Kidz has changed the lives of over 18,000 disabled children since 1990 - often literally overnight. The charity estimates there are still over 70,000 children in the UK waiting for the right equipment to fit their young lives.

Marathon Debut Challenge

Celebrating its new location, Regency Glass Ltd have pledged £500 to Wigan & Leigh Hospice to support my marathon run and have issued a unique challenge.

I will be running the Virgin London Marathon for the first time on Sunday, 13th April and will be raising funds for Wigan & Leigh Hospice's pioneering ‘Hospice In Your Home’ scheme.

The ‘Hospice in your Home’ service takes the skills, ethos and practical nursing care associated with the Wigan and Leigh Hospice into the home environment, seven days a week. It is provided by a small team of Qualified Nurses and Healthcare Assistants and aims to offer more time with patients and to give practical support and nursing care to patients and their carers.

I visited Regency Glass Ltd on Friday, 28th March at Hope Carr Industrial Estate to see some of the investment in new machinery made by the company. Founded in 1983, and employing over 80 local people, Regency Glass are a leading supplier of processed glass within the UK making a comprehensive range of Kitemarked sealed units and toughened glass to the domestic and commercial markets in the UK.

Regency Glass Ltd sponsored my fundraising for Wigan & Leigh Hospice to the tune of £500 but pledged to double this total if I finish ahead of shadow cabinet colleague and shadow chancellor, Ed Balls MP.

Regency Glass is a great Leigh success story and a company with a strong commitment to our area and its people. Their support for Wigan & Leigh Hospice is truly appreciated. But they have really put me on the spot with this challenge. With the marathon now just days away, I'm feeling under more pressure to deliver than David Moyes!

Whatever happens on the day, I will be proud to run through London to support our hospice which helps so many local families in their hour of need. But they could do even more. The sad fact is that too many people in this area end their life in hospital when they would rather be at home with their family. The 'Hospice In Your Home' will give that choice to more local families and I hope more local businesses will support it by sponsoring my run.

Donations can be made online here.

My offer to the Government to rescue care.data scheme

I am calling for a series of tough new safeguards in exchange for Labour's support

I am calling on Ministers to use the Care Bill – due in the Commons next month – to introduce new protections, including:

• Tougher penalties for any misuse of data
• Secretary of State sign off on any application to access data and full transparency of all organisations granted access
• New opt-out arrangements by phone or online.

I have offered urgent talks with the Secretary of State to see if a way ahead could be found. If Ministers refuse to agree, I will bring amendments to the Care Bill and force a Commons vote on them.

Labour believes the Secretary of State may have misled the Commons. During Health Questions, Hunt claimed, “we have sent a leaflet to every house in the country.”

However, a Freedom of Information response from NHS England reveals that the unaddressed leaflet was not considered ‘exceptional’ post – common for nationwide Government communications – and therefore did not reach houses that ask Royal Mail not to deliver junk post.

Many people still report never having received the leaflet.

When he was appointed, the Health Secretary declared it his personal mission to have a “data revolution” in the NHS. What he has presided over is a spectacular collapse in public confidence in the use of that data. The only revolution he’s created is the growing public revolt against his care.data scheme. And coming after his NHS 111 shambles, his court humiliation over Lewisham, it cements a growing reputation for incompetence.

The Health Secretary has presided over a spectacular collapse in public confidence in the use of that data. Even by this Government’s standards, this is a masterclass in incompetence. First, their useless glossy leaflet didn’t even go to every home as Ministers explicitly promised. Second, when people can’t even get through to their GP practice on the phone, let alone get an appointment, they have made it almost impossible for them to opt out.

We don’t want to see this scheme wrecked by Government incompetence – it is too important for that. This is a genuine offer to put the scheme back on track. We hope that Ministers’ pride won’t stop them from doing the right thing. If they work with us to introduce a series of tough new safeguards, some of which can be introduced to the Care Bill, we will help rescue this failing plan.

Health Select Committee report on public expenditure on NHS and social care

This report is a damning verdict from the Select Committee on the damage done to the NHS by David Cameron’s re-organisation.

It is now beyond question that the NHS has been left weakened, confused and fragmented by these changes. It is clear that it distracted focus from the financial challenge and resulted in crude and damaging cuts to frontline care. Ministers’ decision to force competition on the NHS is now beginning to cause real damage to patient care and is preventing the integration the service needs. The Committee is right to call for a review of these unwanted rules.

It is now clear that the Government must now revisit their plans for further brutal cuts to social care. If things are left as they are, it result in ever-greater hospitalisation of frail older people and that is no answer to the ageing society.

This report is a broad endorsement of Labour’s plans to integrate the NHS and social care and we welcome it. The Government must now admit its re-organisation was a mistake and repeal this market madness.

Go back to drawing board and re-connect Leigh to the rail network

I have formally responded to the HS2 Phase 2 Consultation, following a series of consultation meetings with residents in the Lowton and Golborne area.

The consultation is now closed and the Government is expected to announce how HS2 will proceed by the end of 2014.

My detailed submission covers the depot, the proposed Leigh Interchange and the nature of the proposed construction.

The Government's plans will deliver ‘maximum disruption and minimal benefit' to the Leigh area which has the poorest access to rail transport in the country. I also believe the plans as they stand fail to maximise the economic and transport benefits to North West taxpayers.

I have raised serious questions about the Government's decision to site the depot in the middle of the borough's 'Green Heart', as it breaches HS2's own states aim of avoiding sites of environmental and heritage importance. I have also called on the Government to investigate brownfield sites instead.

My response gives strong support to the proposal for a new Leigh Interchange, which has been championed by Transport for Leigh and Transport for Greater Manchester. I believe it provides the ‘best opportunity that the UK Government will ever have to correct the unfairness of its decision to rip out Leigh's rail network five decades ago'.

On the depot, the natural landscape of the Leigh and Wigan area is slowly recovering after centuries of coal mining and heavy industrialisation. What green areas we have are therefore precious to us and need to be respected.

In effect, Government is proposing to site a major industrial installation in an area of open countryside. This means that my constituency faces amongst the greatest level of disruption from HS2 of any in the country.
Locally, there is a strong feeling that a similar decision would not have been taken to site a depot in an area of environmental and heritage importance in the south of England.

The sheer scale of the depot facility, the disruption to residents, local road networks and the green fields it will destroy is not outweighed by the small number of jobs created. HS2 should go back to the drawing board.

The lack of rail transport has led to exponential growth in traffic volumes on the M6 and A580 in the five decades since our rail infrastructure was ripped out. The large numbers of commuters who now live in my constituency have no realistic choice other than to get in the car and join the morning queues. Looking to the rest of the 21st century, this is not sustainable in environmental, economic nor transport terms. It is not fair to Leigh constituents who pay for the rail network through their taxes but have limited access to it.

HS2 will succeed in building public support if, rather than cutting journey times between places that are already well-served, it opens up rail travel to more people than currently use the rail network on a regular basis. That means taking this opportunity to rethink rail travel and giving people more convenient ways to switch from car to train. The Leigh Interchange proposal will achieve that. It will also spread the economic and regeneration potential away from Manchester and towards communities along the Liverpool-Manchester corridor. With a connecting link to the Liverpool-Manchester railway line, it will give people in living Merseyside much easier access to HS2 and cut journey times from Merseyside to London.

On the proposed route, I conclude the nature of construction will blight properties not able to access the statutory compensation scheme. Alternatives including tunnelling should be considered to alleviate noise.

You can read my submission to the formal consultation here.

New Diagnostic & Treatment Centre for Leigh Infirmary

I was proud to officially open the new Hanover Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, the largest recent single development on the Leigh Infirmary site and a major improvement to NHS services for patients and staff in Leigh.

The largest clinical services building developed by Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh (WWL) NHS Foundation Trust since Phase IV opened at Wigan’s Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in 2004, the  Hanover Diagnostic & Treatment Centre is home to the Leigh Endoscopy Department, Richmond Urology Unit and Women’s Healthcare Unit, in addition to a new Endoscope Re-processing Unit.

In just nine months, the old Hanover building was transformed into an iconic landmark, a contemporary design delivering high quality services for Leigh Infirmary patients and staff.

WWL’s major investment in the Hanover Diagnostic and Treatment Centre means Leigh Infirmary now boasts a world-class NHS healthcare facility to complement the highly trained, multi-disciplinary team of expert consultants, nurses and allied health professionals.

The purpose built Leigh Endoscopy Unit is designed to provide a patient-centred experience which maintains the highest standards for comfort, safety and quality while safeguarding each patient’s privacy and dignity.

The Richmond Urology Unit is a one stop clinic to diagnose and treat patients with diseases of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system, including bladder problems, vasectomy, prostate problems and cancer of the prostate, alongside a dedicated Urology Outpatient Suite.

The new Women’s Healthcare Unit sees a radical transformation of gynaecology services. General gynaecology outpatient and specialist clinics are provided side-by-side, with gynaecology ultrasound facilities providing immediate access to specialist scans. The philosophy is a ‘one stop’ service where all diagnostic tests are carried out during a single visit, whenever possible.

Holocaust Memorial Day

Marking Holocaust Memorial Day, I signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, honouring those who died during the Holocaust as well as the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people about what they endured.

Monday 27th January will mark the 69th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, the site of the largest mass murder in history.

In the weeks leading up to and after Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides.

May Logan Healthy Living Centre

I paid a visit to Liverpool Housing Trust’s May Logan Centre in December and was given a guided tour of the Merseyside healthy living centre which aims to improve the well being, health and quality of life for local people.

Every year 50,000 people use the centre’s services which include family planning, smoking cessation, Alder Hey clinics, cafe and IT suite.

The visit came about after Donna Kelly, housing and support director at Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT), attended a conference where I spoke about the NHS.

During the visit I watched a brief presentation about the May Logan Centre, took a guided tour of the building, spoke to staff and met local people taking part in an art therapy group, an exercise session for older people and parent toddler cookery course.

The May Logan Centre is a good example of the great work that can take place when health and social care come together under one roof. It’s clear from speaking to the dedicated staff and the people who use the centre that it’s a lifeline.

2013 in review

2013 has been a hard year for many people across the Leigh area. The past 12 months have seen a number of new foodbanks spring up – a sad sign of the times we are in.

I am glad to represent a town that knows how to help others and I pay tribute to the volunteers who worked through the festive period to keep them open.

But I do wonder what things have come to in England 2013 - a country with more than enough food and money to go round - that foodbanks are needed.

I am the first to say that people should work if they can. But I don’t want to live in a country where children go hungry or where we punish or stigmatise those that can’t.

I know from speaking to people in my surgery just how much hardship has been caused by policies like the bedroom tax. I was pleased when my own party came out clearly against it but there is more we need to do make this country fairer.

In 2014, I will continue to argue for an end to zero-hours contracts, a modern scourge that denies security to so many in Leigh, as well as a freeze on energy bills and a living wage for all.

Thankfully, 2013 has not been all bad news.

It will go down as the year when Leigh lit up the Rugby league World Cup with a memorable night at the LSV and when we finally waved goodbye to ‘Kamikaze Island’.

It will also be remembered for a magnificent trophy double.

I’m talking, of course, about the Northern Rail Cup and the Conference Challenge Trophy - not some old pots won by that town two miles past Hindley!

It was great that Leigh Miners won their famous victory on home turf, while the Centurions’ second half performance in Halifax – running riot in front of the massed cherry and white ranks – will live long in the memory.

It was a timely reminder to the sport’s powers-that-be that there is no stronger RL bedrock than our town. I hope 2014 will bring more confident steps back towards Super League.

More widely, 2013 saw the continued economic revival of our town.

When I first stood for election in 2001, I remember standing on Bradshawgate and asking people what Leigh most needed.

The list went something like this: a swimming baths, a cinema, a Marks & Spencer’s and a railway station.

It is a measure of the progress Leigh has made in the past decade that we can now cross off three of those items.

But, of course, it is the last that remains the most important. I know that the job I set out to do to do all those years ago to put Leigh back on its feet will not truly be done until it is reconnected to the rail network.

I see that as utterly essential to the prosperity of Leigh and its people in this century and the next.

HS2 represents the best chance I will ever get to achieve this.

This will be the only time in our lifetimes that the UK Government lays new railtrack in this constituency. On your behalf, and on behalf of your grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I have to try and make the most of it.

But I am well aware that HS2 is not universally popular and will cause major disruption for people in Lowton and Golborne.

That’s why, early in the New Year, I will hold two meetings – one in Golborne and one in Lowton – with the purpose of capturing all the concerns people have. This is so that, regardless of whether or not I agree, I can do a proper job of representing the full range of opinion to the Government.

The first meeting will be at the Golborne Community Bowling Club on 3 January; the second at Lowton Social Club on 9 January. Both start at 7.30pm and all are welcome.

The consultation on the proposed route closes at the end of January and I propose to submit a detailed paper based on my meetings.

But I am already clear that I will be making putting two clear points to the Government.

First, I will ask them to come back with a range of options and locations for the proposed depot, rather than presenting us with a fait accompli.

Second, I will call for a new station interchange at the point HS2 crosses the East Lancs, with a loop off the Liverpool-Manchester line.

If the Government fails to listen, I have to say I will find it very hard to justify HS2 to my constituents.

Why should they continue to be expected to pay taxes for the rail network only for all the money to be spent elsewhere?

Please be assured that I will be making that point loudly on your behalf over the coming months.

2014 will see other developments that will continue the regeneration of Leigh.

It should finally see the start of work to complete the regeneration of Plank Lane.

Back in 2008, after the financial crash, the scheme to regenerate the former pit site was on the verge of collapse.

As there was no immediate prospect of a housing development, the Government had threatened to withdraw the public investment.

But I will always be grateful to Margaret Beckett MP, the then Housing Minister, who agreed to release the public money to pay for the infrastructure works and new marina so the chance wasn’t lost to develop the site in the future.

It looks like that decision will soon pay dividends.

In 2014, work is expected to begin on a new development that will provide an outstanding new western gateway to Leigh. Once again, people’s perceptions of our town will be changed for the better.

One of my other regeneration priorities this year has been the Glebe, Gordon and Selwyn Street.

Together with councillors, I have held a number of meetings with residents to develop plans to improve it.

The area has suffered since the closure of Hilton Park and the relocation of Leigh East and there has been a rise in anti-social behaviour.

Now there is a realistic prospect that we can turn things around.

The 5 Boroughs mental health trust has put forward plans to rebuild a high-quality hospital development on the old Leigh East and clinic part of the site.

As part of this, I have asked the council to consider designating the wider area a ‘renewal area’ so we can pool planning gain and Lottery money to improve the surrounding streets.

The residents have shown great understanding and it is great that their patience may soon be rewarded.

Working with them has been a reminder of the decency of the Leigh people I am lucky to represent.

Their sheer generosity never ceases to inspire me, be it helping support our foodbanks or the fundraising campaigns we have seen in the past year.

Other places may have more money than we do. But nowhere is richer in community spirit than Leigh and I wouldn’t want to represent anywhere else.

You continue to give me tremendous backing through all the ups and downs of politics. I remain grateful for that and will do my best to repay you in 2014.

A happy and prosperous New Year to you all.

Nursing numbers falling to dangerous levels

There are today close to 6,000 fewer nurses in the NHS than when this Government came to power. As a result, too many hospitals in England do not have safe staffing levels.

I have repeatedly warned the Government about nurse numbers falling to dangerous levels. This new focus on recruitment is overdue but it shouldn’t have taken this long and it won’t be enough to repair the damage of three years of falling nurse numbers on David Cameron’s watch. He is allowing the NHS to go into a dangerous winter with a shortage of nurses and with increasing numbers of older people being admitted because of this Government’s deep cuts in social care.

Labour is committed to safe staffing levels in hospitals based on expert advice. The Government is yet to deliver a convincing plan for bringing all hospitals in England back up to safe staffing levels.

Veterans Luncheon on eve of Remembrance weekend.

Pic with Mr Joseph Partington and the Mayor

I today hosted my annual Veterans Luncheon at Leigh Miners Welfare Institute.

Now in its 8th year, over 150 veterans and guests attended the luncheon and tucked into food supplied by Claphams Bakery and Leigh Sainsbury’s.

Joining me was the Mayor and Councillors representing wards in the Leigh area.

Alderman Tom Sherratt acted as MC for the day and attendees enjoyed a wonderful performance by the Brass Band of Fred Longworth High School.

The luncheon was also the opportunity to reflect on the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice in 1953. Over 82,000 British servicemen fought in the War and more than 1,000 died in the conflict held during the Cold War period.

I was also honoured to present a HM Armed Forces Veteran Lapel Badge to Mr Joseph Partington, aged 79 of Rutland Ave, Lowton who served in the Army during the 1950s.

It is always fantastic to see so many of our veteran community all together on the eve of this very special weekend when we remember those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we all enjoy today.

Veterans continue to play a special role in our community and today is a thank you to them for all that they have done and continue to do in the service of our country.

She’s the golden girl... and now swimming sensation Heather Frederikson has a postbox permanently painted in her honour

Pic with Heather Frederikson on
Mon, 21st Oct 2013. Pic used with kind
permission of The Leigh Journal.

Royal Mail painters descended on the red postbox on Market Place, Leigh in 2012 to paint it gold and have now announced that the post box will remain gold as a permanent reminder of Heather’s achievement and the historic games.

Royal Mail has painted more than 100 of its iconic and much-loved red post boxes gold to celebrate every Team GB and Paralympics GB gold medal won during the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The post boxes will remain permanently gold to mark the achievements of the athletes and the historic Games.

Heather secured the gold medal in the Women’s 100m Backstroke, S8 competition and is also a face on a Royal Mail stamp issued in the glow of her London 2012 victory.

This is a unique and highly visible recognition of the success of Team GB, but in particular Heather’s superb victory at London 2012.

She is an inspiration and I know that the whole Leigh community is very proud of her achievements.

I'm backing campaign to encourage people to find out their risk of Type 2 Diabetes

I have backed a campaign by Diabetes UK to reach the 7 million people in the UK who are at high risk of Type 2 diabetes and he is urging people to have their risk of the condition checked.

The Diabetes UK campaign, funded by  its National Charity Partnership with Tesco, aims to help people understand the seriousness of Type 2 diabetes, which can lead to devastating health complications such as amputation, blindness and stroke, so that people understand the importance of preventing it.

The campaign will also raise awareness of the risk factors of the condition – being over 40 (or over 25 if you are from a South Asian background); being overweight or having a close family member with diabetes – and is urging people to take a risk assessment if any of these risk factors apply to them. People can do this online , or by visiting a pharmacy or by going to their GP. Those at high risk can then be given information about how to reduce their risk as up to 80 per cent of cases of Type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented through healthy lifestyle changes.

As well as identifying those at high risk, the campaign is expected to identify some of the estimated 850,000 people in the country who have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes. It is really important that these people are detected as if the condition is not diagnosed early, or is left untreated, it is more likely to lead to devastating complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputation.

Type 2 diabetes is a very serious condition that can lead to devastating complications such as blindness, amputations and stroke and can have a devastating impact on both the people affected and their families. Yet there are many people in Leigh who at high risk of the condition or already have it but don’t know it. It is important that these people get assessed so that they can get the treatment and support that they need to reduce their risk or manage the condition. This is why I’m backing Diabetes UK’s campaign and urging people in Leigh to make themselves aware of the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes and to have a risk assessment if any risk factors apply to them. It is one of the best things you can do for your health and for your family.

People with Type 2 diabetes don’t produce enough insulin or the insulin they produce doesn’t work properly (known as insulin resistance).  85 to 90 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 2.  They might get Type 2 diabetes because of their family history, age and ethnic background puts them at increased risk.  They are also more likely to get Type 2 diabetes if they are overweight.  It starts gradually, usually later in life, and it can be years before they realise they have it. Type 2 diabetes is treated with a healthy diet and increased physical activity.  In addition, tablets and/or insulin can be required. 

An invitation to Leigh's Veteran Community

I will be hosting my annual Veterans Luncheon on Friday, 8th November 2013 at Leigh Miners’ Welfare Institute commencing at 12noon.

Now in its 8th year the event brings together veterans from across the Leigh Constituency as well as veteran organisations. Over 150 veterans attended the 2012 event.

I have written to veterans across the constituency but am conscious that there will be veterans who do not receive a formal invite and I am keen to raise awareness of the event. Veterans can confirm their attendance by calling my office on 01942 682353 or by email here.

I know that veterans across the community look forward to attending, catching up with comrades and remembering the contribution and sacrifice of all those who have served their country across the globe.

I hope that this small gesture will show Leigh’s appreciation for the valuable service our local veterans have given and continue to give to local life.

Work starts on Leigh Guided Busway

Pic with Bob Morris (TfGM), Peter Commins (Balfour Beatty),
Cllr Mark Aldred (TfGM ViceChair)
and Cllr Andrew Fender (TfGM Chair).

Construction work has started on Leigh’s guided busway.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has appointed Balfour Beatty to design and construct the 4.5 mile busway, which will run from Leigh to Ellenbrook in Salford.

Due to open in 2015, the busway forms part of a 21km high quality bus priority route being developed between Leigh, Salford and Manchester.

The only vehicles able to use the guided section will be specially adapted buses, allowing them to avoid traffic congestion and offer passengers a smooth ride.

Services will run along on-highway bus lanes on the A580 through to Manchester city centre – providing the first cross city links from Leigh to key employment, education, health, leisure and retail destinations.

The 14 stop route (seven in each direction) follows the former railway route between East Bond Street in Leigh and Newearth Road in Ellenbrook. Walkers, cyclists and horse riders will be able to use a 4.5m wide path along the entire length of the busway, surfaced for use all year round.

All stops will be fully accessible, and will include shelters, CCTV and real time information.

Three park and ride sites will serve the busway, providing a minimum of 440 parking spaces. These will be located in Leigh, at Tyldesley Interchange and on the A580 East Lancashire Road near to the M60/61 junction.

The busway – between Leigh, Atherton and a section of the A580 East Lancashire Road to Walkden Road – will cost £68million. It is being funded through the Greater Manchester Transport Fund, for key transport priority projects.

I know many people are still to be persuaded of the merits of the Guided Busway. But the simple fact is Leigh urgently needs better public transport and this is the only project that can realistically be delivered in the next decade. Leigh can't wait forever for decent public transport.

I believe the Busway will be better than people expect and will bring a number of major benefits to the Leigh and Tyldesley areas. Not only will it halve travel times to Manchester at peak times, it will also bring more people and business back into Leigh town centre and support the continued revival of our town.

The Guided Busway alone won't solve Leigh's transport problems and that is why I will continue to make the case as best I can for a new rail station as part of HS2. I will also be working to ensure tickets for the Busway are affordable to all and a 45-minute journey time becomes a reality.

Dementia Pledge

I joined many other MPs and representatives from Alzheimer’s Society in Portcullis House, Westminster to provide a handwritten statement of the action I will take to support people with dementia and their carers. I pledged to campaign for better dementia care in his constituency of Leigh

One in three people over 65 will develop dementia, and it is a health issue that we can no longer afford to ignore.

Alzheimer’s Society estimate there will be a million people with dementia by 2021. As a local MP it is important that I help to raise awareness and campaign for action to improve services available across the Leigh area.

Alzheimer’s Society campaigners were in Westminster to drum up political support for their trailblazing Dementia Friends initiative that launched in February this year. Dementia Friends aims to help people understand what it might be like to live with dementia and turn that understanding into action. Alzheimer’s Society is aiming to have one million Dementia Friends by 2015, to help make England more dementia-friendly and improve the lives of the 650,000 people currently living with the condition.

If you are interested in becoming a Dementia Friend or helping create more communities that are dementia friendly, visit Dementia Friends  to find your nearest information session or to volunteer as a Dementia Friends Champion.