New Year Letter to Harlow Residents

Dear Resident,

It has been a difficult year - particularly given the economic situation and the huge debt. We are currently paying out £120 million a day in debt interest alone - money which would be much better spent on public services or given back to taxpayers.

As MP, my job is to speak up for Harlow and support our community.  I have been MP only since May, and have worked hard in Parliament and in Harlow and the surrounding villages of Hastingwood, Matching, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering.



In the House of Commons, I have spoken in 88 Parliamentary debates, many of them directly relevant to local residents. As regular readers of my blog will know I have fought for an extra M11 junction, more police, fair benefits and support for immigration offices. I have argued - successfully - for Harlow Housing money for Harlow people. Jobs, law and order, immigration, traffic, and apprenticeships are my main areas.

Many residents contact me with difficulties they may have. I have sent nearly 550 letters to officials on behalf of Harlow residents, and tabled 59 Parliamentary Motions.  I also have regular surgeries, in schools, churches, village halls, the Rainbow Services and Welfare Rights. I have held 18 surgeries and attended over 230 community events, from the official opening of Dizzy Ducks Nursery to the Downs School Carol Service.






A few weeks ago, I tabled my first ever amendment to a Bill in Parliament, calling for lower Council Tax for Special Constables.

 

There is also some good news on the horizon. Unemployment in Harlow is falling. The Transport Minister has confirmed to me that our East Anglia trains will have 176 extra carriages next year, to ease overcrowding.

The Energy Minister has pledged that every single Harlow home will benefit from a new "Green Deal", where energy companies will insulate our homes for free, and recoup their cost from a fraction of the savings on our bills.

Looking ahead in 2011, I want to do more to support vocational training and apprenticeships. I have employed the first ever apprentice to work for an MP, Harlow lad, Andy Huckle. He is doing a great job and also studies at Harlow College. I am working to create a Royal Society of Apprentices, to give Apprentices the prestige and support they deserve.

I am a community MP first and foremost I will always stand up for Harlow and the villages.That is why I am always out and about supporting and representing our community in every possible way.

Yours ever

Robert

P.S. You can keep up to date with all my campaigns and Harlow work at www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com and www.roberthalfon.com. If you would like a tour of Parliament, please call 0207 219 7223. For surgeries ring 01279 311451 or log on to www.roberthalfon.com.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

FULL SPEECH : an extra junction on the M11

Click on HERE for the full speech I made yesterday, arguing for an extra junction 7a on the M11. You can also read the response of Norman Baker, Minister for Transport.

UPDATE: view the video here.

An Extra Junction (7a) on the M11

Today I spoke in the House of Commons, in a special debate about an extra junction on the M11, north of Harlow.

We desperately need an extra junction, because:

1. Harlow has just one motorway entrance. Basildon has four.
2. Recent roadworks have NOT solved the problem.
3. Congestion causes a huge cost to the local economy.
4. An extra junction (7a) would massively boost jobs in Harlow.
5. The cost of an extra junction is very modest, compared to other schemes.

I was very encouraged by the Government’s reply, because they hinted there might be light at the end of the tunnel.

It was a small step towards victory for local residents, when they said: “Harlow is well placed to benefit from available investment, when the current financial position eases.”

The Government acknowledged the serious congestion in our town, saying: “traffic in and out of Harlow has to traverse a series of mainly single-lane carriageways to reach key destinations such as the town centre and areas of employment.”

They agreed that: 'Frequent congestion is the result. Congestion is seen as a barrier to achieving the town's regeneration and economic growth ambitions.”

I have been campaigning for a new junction since 2007. See http://www.fedupwithharlowtraffic.net/ for more information, or look at the question I asked the Transport Minister a few weeks ago HERE.

UPDATE : view the video HERE.


by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Norwich and cream crackers

Well Cream Crackered, actually! It is how I feel after a long journey there and back to Norwich today to help Chloe Smith in the Parliamentary By Election there, because of the resignation of the sitting Labour member, Ian Gibson over the expenses scandal. Being a hardened Conservative activist, I have been to many By Elections and went to the historic Conservative victory in Crewe last year.

It was a great atmosphere in Norwich. Four different HQs in all parts of the Constituency, hundreds of party volunteers, and loads of Conservative MPs canvassing, knocking on doors and stuffing leaflets through doors. My job was to sort out hundreds of envelopes in order, so that they could be delivered to homes around Norwich. I have been doing this sort of thing since I was thirteen years old, and it is something I will probably do until I am in my nineties, as politics isn't just a job, its a vocation - its in the blood. It feels good to be part of a cause and to be battling for ideas and policies you believe in.

On the way to Norwich - stopping off at McDonalds by the M11 roundabout, for some excellent scrambled eggs (no bread) and cappucino, I was inwardly grumbling at being stuck in an enormous traffic jam as I entered the M11. After about thirty minutes of snail driving, I saw why. There was an enormous accident on the other side of the road going towards Harlow, with ambulances and police cars a plenty. I immediately felt ashamed at my own thoughts on being stuck in a trafffic jam, when I drove passed the carnage. I reflected how life can change for good or bad within the space of a few seconds, and every moment we are alive and breathing, and free from accident, is really a blessing.

Anyway, despite a good an active day, I was glad to get home this evening. I have another long day tomorrow of community activities, as well as meeting a range of constituents. I am looking forward to the weekend - especially the music festival in Broadwalk on Saturday morning.

P.S. The pictures are of me with some volunteers, and Eric Pickles (MP for Brentwood & Ongar and Conservative Party Chairman).

By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Fed up with Harlow Traffic

I have written before about traffic problems in Harlow and campaign hard for an extra bypass on the M11 (a junction 7a), to relieve traffic problems and create a second entry point into Harlow. Well, although the Government have not guaranteed any funding for this, thanks to strenuous efforts of Conservatives in Harlow, and in Essex County Council, there will be dualling of the A414 from the M11 roundabout entry point, up to Southern Way.

This morning, I went to an exhibition about the plans, held at the Park Inn Hotel. The good news is that the construction work has to be completed by March 2011, otherwise Essex Council will lose their grant allocation for the road.

It is hoped that the work starts at the beginning of next year. The proposals outlined at the exhibition, include dualling the existing carriageway, traffic signals replacing Southern Way roundabout, and improvements to the pedestrian/cycle crossing facilities.

It was good to see John Curry, stalwart of the Harlow Civic Society, at the exhibition, doing his best to ensure that the plans protect cycle tracks and checking through the environmental impact of the plans. As always, Harlow would be at a loss without John, as he cares so deeply and passionately about the town.

Although, during the construction, there will be a huge inconvenience to motorists and nearby residents (particularly at Priory Court off Southern Way), it will be worth it in the end, as the dualling will lighten traffic loads into Harlow considerably.

By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com

A day in Cambridge

Despite the weather and heavy M11 traffic, yesterday, we decided to enjoy the Bank Holiday and went to Cambridge.

It was well worth it. Even with clouds and dark skies, the City was a wonder. In a spontaneous moment, we got in a boat on the River Cam and were given a tour and history of some of the Colleges on the river bank - St John's being particularly stunning. Its incredible to think that some of these buildings took close to a 100 years to build.

At the end of the day, we went to a tea shop, trying hard to resist all the goodies on display! We didn't stay for long especially as Vanda is rather partial to anything chocolaty.

Anyway, I thought you might like to see some of the pictures!

Robert Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com