News Archive

February 2005

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2 February 2005

Tony Wright keeps up campaign for speed limit on Chase to protect deer

Tony Wright has been told that moves are continuing to introduce speed limits on the Chase, something he has been pressing for as a way of reducing deer casualties and improving road safety.

A letter to him from Staffordshire County Council (attached) says that attempts are being made to devise non-intrusive safety measures and special signs to make drivers aware of the need to drive more slowly in order to protect the deer. The police are also backing the move to reduce traffic speeds.

Commenting Tony Wright said:

“I wish we were seeing faster progress, but at least we do now seem to be moving in the right direction. The Chase is a precious asset, and the deer need to be protected from reckless slaughter, which is why we need effective speed limits.

People rightly feel strongly about this, and I am determined to give the Chase the protection it deserves.”

2 February 2005

Police thank Tony Wright and local MPs for deal that keeps up momentum on policing in Staffordshire

The Staffordshire Police Authority have thanked Tony Wright and his colleagues for their help in getting a funding deal that enables the progress that has been made in local policing to continue.

In a letter to Tony Wright, the Chairman of the Police Authority describes how “crime has measurably been driven down, detection rates have been driven up and our Community Beat Officer Scheme is beginning to provide much reassurance in local neighbourhoods” and says “your help this financial year has enabled us to maintain the momentum achieved over recent years”. (Letter attached.)

Commenting Tony Wright said:

“I am delighted that we were able to get a funding settlement that enables the great progress being made in the policing of Staffordshire to be maintained. We have record numbers of police officers, more community officers, and new community support officers, and all this is having a real impact on community safety.

Staffordshire is also now one of the best performing police forces in he country, which is a great tribute to all concerned. One of the best reasons for keeping the Government in power is to ensure that the real progress we have made on crime and policing is not thrown away.”

2 February 2005

MP Expresses Anger to Power Company over Power Cuts

Tony Wright MP is again making urgent representations to power suppliers Central Networks over further power cuts yesterday

Dr Wright will now be seeking a further meeting with power chiefs about this recurrent problem.

14 February 2005  

Tony Wright Welcomes Labour’s Pledges

Chase MP Tony Wright has welcomed the launch of Labour’s pledges at the Party’s Spring Conference this weekend.

The pledges, six in all, are:

• Your family better off: low inflation, and mortgages as low as possible, more people off benefit and into work, a rising minimum wage and more help for first time buyers.
• Your child achieving more: modern schools for all, strong discipline, and a guaranteed place in training, sixth-form or an apprenticeship.
• Your children with the best start: more choice over parental leave for mums and dads, more childcare for under-5s, and after school care for over-5s.
• Your family treated better and faster: no-one waiting more than 18 weeks, guaranteed, for hospital treatment - with choice over where and when - in an NHS free at the point of need.
• Your community safer: local policing teams, cracking down on graffiti, gangs and drug-dealers.
• Your country's borders protected: ID cards and strict controls that work to combat asylum abuse and illegal immigration.

Tony Wright said:

“These pledges focus on the things that really matter to people here in Cannock Chase and across the UK and it is absolutely right that we should make these our priorities.

We have delivered on our previous pleadges from 1997 and 2001 so people know that these are real and achievable commitments for a future Labour Government.”

Commenting on the forthcoming General Election, he added:

“We are now well and truly into pre-election mode and I am looking forward to hearing the starting gun for the campaign proper!”

15 February 2005

Tony Wright Welcomes New Local Health Funding

Speaking at the official opening of Cannock Chase Hospitals new Minor Injuries Unit last Friday, Tony Wright welcomed the announcement of major new funding for the local health service which was announced last week.

He said:

“Developments like this round-the-clock primary care centre at Cannock Chase Hospital are only possible because of the sustained investment that the Government is putting into the NHS. Already the maximum waiting time for an operation has fallen from 18 months to 9 months, and will fall to 6 months by the end of this year.

Labour’s commitment is that by the end of 2008 all patients will be admitted for treatment within a maximum 18 weeks from referral by their GP. This represents a remarkable transformation in the NHS for patients, with waiting cut from 18 months to 18 weeks, which is why it is essential that Labour’s programme of investment and reform has to be continued.

The recent announcement that Primary Care Trusts will get over 9% a year extra funding in each of the next two years, with accelerated progress for Cannock Chase Primary Care Trust towards a fairer funding formula, is a further boost for the local health service and enables all the progress that is being made to continue. Labour promised to turn the NHS round – and that is what is now happening.”

15 February 2005

Heath Hayes Traffic Calming Welcomed

Chase MP Tony Wright has welcomed traffic calming now being introduced along the A5190 in Heath Hayes.

Along with local residents and local councillors, Tony Wright has been pressing for speed reduction measures on this road for a number of years. The campaign became even more urgent following a fatal accident in December 2000.

Now mobile cameras will check speeds along this route, with further steps being pursued to reduce the speed limit on part of this stretch of road from 40 mph to 30 mph.

Tony Wright said:

“This road has been a danger zone for many years and it is good to see this long-awaited traffic calming now being put in place. It will bring great relief to those who live along the A5190 who have lobbied me and Staffordshire County Council for so long.

This is a very busy road where some people drive far too fast. It has been classed as a priority for traffic calming over recent years and I am very pleased that the County Council is now honouring its commitment to action here.”

28 February 2005

“Join the Specials and help make community safer” – Tony Wright

Speaking at National Specials Weekend, Tony Wright praised the work of the Special Constabulary and urged more people to consider becoming Special Constables.

  He said:
“I have always been a great supporter of the Special Constabulary, and with the new emphasis on neighbourhood policing its role is even more important. The specials make a valuable contribution in support of their regular colleagues and making our communities safer.

In Cannock Chase we have been fortunate in recruiting good numbers of these volunteer police constables, but this is an opportunity to do even better. I would urge anyone who thinks they can make a contribution to the policing of our area to consider becoming a Special Constable. There could scarcely be a more positive way of helping to build safety and security in our communities.”

28 February 2005

Miners’ Compensation Reaches £25 Million For Cannock Chase

Chase MP Tony Wright met this week with Coal Minister Nigel Griffiths MP who confirmed that the total compensation payouts for former miners in Cannock Chase has now reached £25 million.

Payments have been made to former miners or their families for the industrial diseases Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema and Vibration White Finger in the biggest ever compensation package.

Tony Wright said:

“This area is rightly proud of its industrial heritage but the industrial diseases that came from the coal industry are the dark side of this legacy.

Previous Tory Governments refused to recognise these claims for compensation but Labour set up the scheme which has proved to be the biggest compensation scheme in history.

The payments here in Cannock Chase have bought much-needed assistance to miners and their families who have suffered as a consequence of their employment in the local pits.”

He added:

“They have also brought a helpful boost to the local economy so that all residents here in Cannock Chase have benefited from the scheme.”