The Coronation is here! Our shops and highstreets are looking royally festive and the atmosphere is one of huge excitement. There are lots of special events going on across the constituency, from street parties to food festivals, and I encourage everyone to get involved in as much as they can. I had a lot of fun celebrating Her late Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee at Hertford Castle last year, and look forward to seeing all that is on offer this year too - we really do know how to celebrate these kinds of occasions well!
In the lead-up, I have organised a competition with local primary school children to design a Coronation card for me to send to His Majesty The King. I love running these competitions and always receive so many wonderful and creative entries. It was no different this time - picking a winner was challenging! Keep an eye out the winning design on my social media channels.
This month is off to a busy start - we also have local elections coming up on 4th May. I have been out and about catching up with our brilliant councillors across Hertford, Ware, Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth. They work hard for our community and it is vital everyone turns out to vote and have their say.
Improving the Rush Green roundabout remains one of my biggest local campaigns. The traffic causes lengthy delays to residents and there have also sadly been numerous traffic incidents too. After lobbying McDonald’s and BP, I secured a deal between the two of them to work together on a long-term solution. Though their progress has been frustratingly slow up until this point, there is finally some encouraging news. They have now submitted a proposal to East Herts Council that is currently under review. I am really pleased we are getting somewhere and will continue to press both companies and the Council to make sure this progress continues.
I raised lots of other local issues with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove, in Parliament recently too. This included developments and the importance of developers keeping to their original plans and commitments, such as affordable housing and community infrastructure like health and education provision. I want to make sure this housing is available for local people and not just for London local authorities’ overspill. We also discussed leasehold reform and balancing local renewable energy projects like solar farms with preserving our farmland. It was a really productive discussion, and I will continue to follow up on and share any developments.
In Ware, final talks between the Post Office and the application they are progressing are also going well. Negotiations to bring back full services, including banking, to the old site on Ware High Street are concluding and refurbishment works are already underway. I know how difficult the wait has been for many residents - this breakthrough comes as a huge relief. I continue to work with all involved to see services there restored for people as soon as possible.
As always, I am here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact me at julie.marson.mp@parliament.uk.