Transport Minister Simon Burns meets local residents and hears about wish for extra M11 junction and Oysterisation to Harlow

I was really pleased to welcome Simon Burns to Harlow today as the new Transport Minister.

Being a neighbouring Essex MP he understands the issues we face in Harlow. It was a good opportunity to lobby the Minister about an extra junction on the M11, Oysterisation for Harlow commuters and Stansted Airport.

I was very pleased that despite Press speculation the Minister confirmed that the Government remains opposed to an extra runway at Stansted.

My own view is that given that Stansted s only at 50 per cent capacity, an extra runway is unsustainable, uneconomic and unnecessary.

I have long campaigned for an additional Harlow junction on the M11. The junction is key if Harlow is to continue to grow and attract new businesses.

Harlow is choked to death by traffic. We only have one entrance to the town. Harlow is a huge town close to London yet people suffer every day.

I have already led a parliamentary debate on the issue and welcome a £500,000 Essex County Council study on the issue.

It will create jobs and make it easier for businesses to relocate here. It will make a huge difference. It will help with traffic in general and make Harlow a better place to live.

We are the town with the highest business growth in the UK but so much more would come here.

Unemployment is still high. A brand new junction would free up traffic and free up the lives of people who would be able to move around Harlow much easier.

Mr Burns said: “What is important is that Robert and the county council should work with the Highways Agency to establish the case that there is a need for another junction, if that indeed is the solution.

“I am sure that if that is the case that Robert will vigorously fight to seek this improvement for his constituents, provided that the case has been made that this is needed.”

I am also campaigning for the extension of the Oyster card scheme to Harlow.

Ware (in Hertfordshire) has it. Why shouldn’t Harlow? Lots of people commute from Harlow on a daily basis. Oysterisation would make a huge difference in terms of cost and convenience.

Mr Burns met with Harlow and Epping Forest Conservatives councillors at Harlow Common. He is now responsible for aviation and railways following the recent Coalition Government reshuffle having previously been Health Minister.

Mr Burns said: “What we have got to continue seeing is the investment in improving the rolling stock, the track, the electrification of the rail line so as to enhance the rail services that are provided here in Harlow and also in my own constituency of Chelmsford and throughout the country.

“We also have to ensure that our airports, and we have Stansted just up the road, are able to compete and provide a top class service for passengers travelling in and out of the country and we are able to maintain our hub status based on London rather than allowing places like Frankfurt to overtake us.”

I have met with the rail operators regarding Harlow’s services.

Mr Burns said: “There is a problem with overcrowding and people, when they are paying their fares, hope and expect to have a seat . To put on eztra carriages is the way forward.

“We also have to ensure that the track and overhead cables are maintained and replaced and modernised where appropriate so that the service is improved.”

Harlow Community Update

Last week I visited a number of Harlow Community groups and local businesses. Here's a brief update:

Harlow Postal Sorting Office
My first stop of the day was the Harlow postal sorting office to meet and thank all the men and women for the amount of dedication and hard work they all put into getting our post to us, through all weathers. I enjoyed speaking to everyone including the Manager Sean Watson.

Stansted Airport
Recently I have had concerns about the common travel area and the treatment of disabled passengers at UK airports. During my visit to Stansted Airport I was able to raise both of these issues with the management and staff. First, I was shown the waiting area for passengers needing assistance getting from check in to the plane. Kieran Weir Manager of Customer Services assured me that disabled flyers will receive a significant amount of care. I then had some time to talk to a representative from UKBA, allowing me to raise my concerns over the Common Travel Area where there is a risk that some immigrants have been allowed to come into the country unchecked.

Princess Alexandria Hospital
It is an exciting time at PAH and it is fantastic to see NHS spending rising even during these tough economic times. I was given the great opportunity to see the new Ambulatory Care Unit. This new unit allows patients to receive their treatment while they continue to work and live in their own homes. Also I had the chance to see the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and finally I was able to speak to the staff and patients in the new on site cancer treatment facility.

William Martin School
I dropped in to William Martin Junior School's fete: superb to meet so many staff, parents and children. I joined in with the fun, by drawing the winning tickets for the raffle.

I would like to wish the year 6 boys the best of luck as they represent Essex against schools from London and the Home Counties in February.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Closing Immigration Loopholes at Stansted Airport

Today in Parliament I urged the Prime Minister to close a dangerous immigration loophole at Stansted airport.

Our full exchange was:

Robert Halfon (Harlow): Given the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee next year, is the Prime Minister aware that immigration and special branch officers at Stansted Airport are concerned that the "Common Area Travel Channel" in its current form allows illegal migrants, Islamists, and terrorists into the country without their Passports being checked. Will he take urgent steps to close this loophole immediately?

David Cameron (Prime Minister): My Honourable Friend makes an important point. What I would say is that Passport-free travel between the UK, the crown dependencies and the Republic of Ireland has been in place for many years and it does offer some real economic and social benefits. I do accept these routes can be open to abuse and we are determined to resolve this. The UK Border Agency is working very closely with Ireland and others to make sure this happens. But we've got to try to do that, without disadvantaging people who've been able to take advantage of the "Common Area Travel Channel" upto now.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

General Election Day Nine: Victims of Crime, Stansted and Travellers

Whilst the election goes on, so does day to day to life - and that includes crime. I have written before about anti-social behaviour in Nazeing, and today I visited the newsagent in the Parade, with Conservative Rural Affairs Spokesman, Nick Herbert, which has been robbed three times in recent weeks.

This shop is one of many up an down the country which has suffered from crime. In fact I remember well, the old corner shop in Roydon (now owned by a major chain), that was robbed on numerous occasions.

Accompanied also, by Nazeing Cllr. Richard Bassett and Yolanda Knight (Council Candidate), the Shadow Minister was there on a fact finding mission in Nazeing, to hear about the problems of anti-social behaviour and problem youths. Mr Herbert said that we needed to get police out on the streets, in our neigbourhoods. At the moment, 50% of their time was spent with paperwork.

The Shadow Minister also confirmed Conservative policy to oppose an extra runway at Stanste. On the Travellers issue, he said that a British Bill of Rights would replace Labour's Human Rights Act - bringing greater clarity to the police and councils when taking decisions on planning and eviction.

Conservatives are also opposed to Government guidance, which forces local planning authorities to allow travellers camps on Green Belt Land. This guidance bullies councils into using compulsory purchase powers to obtain land for these new travellers sites.

It was a good visit, and important for residents of Nazeing to know that their concerns will be addressed.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

BAA mortgaging our futures?

Reports that BAA has mortgaged its entire assets and taken out mortgages on dozens of local homes are nothing else but staggering.The news comes as it is also reported that a public inquiry into its proposals for a second runway could still be years away

The Stop Stansted Expansion campaign group has said that documents recently filed with Companies House show BAA Stansted has mortgaged its entire assets and even taken out mortgages with the Royal Bank of Scotland on at least 39 local homes bought by the company in connection with its plans for a second runway.

I have repeatedly questioned the need for a second runway giving falling passenger numbers and a drop in the number of flights to and from the west Essex airport. I've said time and time again that there is no need for second runway. Now, it appears, BAA is mortgaged up to the hilt and continues to blight peoples' lives with its proposals that are totally unnecessary.

The Conservatives have already said that they will scrap proposals for a second runway. This pledge was made by Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers when she visited Harlow and Hastingwood and met with me last March. According to Stop Stansted Expansion, BAA’s financial accounts for 2009 show that Stansted's operating profit slumped from £81 million in 2008 to £27 million last year, reflecting the sharp downturn in passenger numbers and flights at the airport.

Given the gravity of BAA's reported financial position, how on earth can be remain committed to a £3 billion second runway project - the cost of which will only soar, in sharp contrast to the planes which remain grounded because of the drop in passengers wanting to make use of air travel to and from Essex?

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com