Christopher Pincher Open Letter to the Lichfield Mercury – High Speed Rail Link

I would like to inform Mercury readers in Hints, Swinfen, Weeford and Canwell that I support Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant’s principled opposition to the present government’s proposed high speed rail route, revealed in last week’s paper.  Their plan will drive straight through important local green spaces and cause major disruption to the lives of local residents.  It is environmentally and socially unacceptable.  And given that the high speed trains will not stop at Lichfield, there seems little economic benefit either to our local community.  Indeed the plan may blight the value of many homes.

I am sure that a high speed link will be good for the country but this route is not good for our local community and along with Michael Fabricant I will not support it.  We must lobby the Department for Transport for alternative routes and organise our opposition at the Planning Inquiry whenever it is convened.

Christopher Pincher

Parliamentary Spokesman, Hints, Swinfen & Tamworth

High Speed Link Impact on Lichfield District

Christopher Pincher says united front needed to ensure railway plans do not damage local communities

Following the announcement of government plans to build a high speed rail link between London and Birmingham, Shenstone, Stonnall and Elford’s Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman Christopher Pincher, said:  

 “Whilst the High Speed Link will clearly be good for the country, we must be careful to ensure it causes as little disruption to local communities as possible.  Though the second phase of the project which will take the link north of Birmingham has yet to be scheduled, I will submit detailed questions to the Department for Transport so we discover as much as possible as soon as possible.”  

The Department’s proposals state:  

To the east of Birmingham, the line would cross the M6 south of Coleshill. The line would curve to avoid the village of Whitacre Heath, Shustoke Reservoirs and the SSSI of Whitacre Heath Nature Reserve, with speeds restricted to 300kph. The route would rejoin the WCML north west of Tamworth, avoiding the settlements of Middleton, Bangley and Mile Oak, as well as Drayton Manor Park and Hopwas Hays Wood.  

Mr. Pincher continued: “However, there is no mention of any affect on Hints, Weeford or Swinfen nor Combeford.  These communities have already had to deal with threats of more quarrying so the last thing they need is more uncertainty.  The government needs to be clear what its plans mean for our community.”  

“I agree with Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield, that we need to mount a united front to ensure that the least detrimental alternative is proposed to the Planning Enquiry whenever it is convened.  Though the construction of the line is the best part of a decade away, we should begin the campaign soon.” 

1922 Supper Club – 22nd March

Speakers – Roger Bragger & Paliamentary Candidate for Tamowrth, Christopher Pincher

At what will be the last supper club before the General Election, Mr Roger Bragger will give a talk entitled “Like Father, Almost Like Son” which tells the encounters of Lt John Wight in World War I, and his son, Fl Lt. Ronald Wight in World War II

Afterwards, Christopher Pincher will address the meeting and time will be allowed for questions

Venue: Drayton Park Golf CLub, Tamworth

Time: Meet 7pm for meal at 7:30pm

Menu: Home made Steak Pie with seasonal vegetables (alternative avaialble if required) followed by Sweet or Cheese & Biscuits

Price: £15.00 (All profits donated to Christopher Pincher’s Fighting Fund for General Election)

Conservative Team Wins National Campaign Award

Tamworth’s Conservative Team won a prestigious campaign award from David Cameron in recognition of the community action projects they have run in the last twelve months. During the year the Conservative team (pictured with David Cameron left to right Harry Poultney, Craig Tracey, Parliamentary Candidate Christopher Pincher and James Tickle) have run surveys across Tamworth asking local people how they would sort out the expenses scandal and clean up politics as well as helping out in local litter picks whilst supporting the Tamworth mums’ Post Natal Depression Group which was relaunched in 2008.

Christopher Pincher said:
“We are really proud of our community campaigning so it is nice to receive recognition from David Cameron. We are determined to try to make a difference.”

Crime

On Monday, Gordon Brown made a speech about crime, only his second speech on the issue as Prime Minister.  The truth is, as we all know, we don’t need more talk about crime – we have had enough of that over the last 13 years – we need action.  We need to cut the bureaucracy that keeps too many police officers tied to their desks so they can get out onto the streets to deter wrongdoers and reassure the public.  And we need to build enough prison places to ensure the courts can sentence serious criminals to a spell behind bars.  We also need more honesty in sentencing – we must scrap Labour’s early release scheme.

The election will soon be on us and people can make a choice – a choice about more of the same on crime or real change to tackle the problems that concern so many people.

Cameron Inspires in Brighton

Ten activists from Tamworth made the trip to Brighton last weekend to attend the Conservative annual spring conference.  David Cameron made an inspirational speech outlining his priorities and his vision for Britain should the Conservatives win the election.  Speaking without notes he addressed supporters in Brighton – the last time before the General Election.

Christopher Pincher Tamworth’s Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman said:

‘David Cameron made a tremendous speech and our team went away feeling enthusiastic about the future of Britain and how we must bring this enthusiasm back to Tamworth and show people the clear choice between David Cameron and his united Conservative team or five more years of Gordon Brown and his tired, negative and divided government. We saw in David Cameron over the weekend a man who can turn Britain around by fixing our economy, who can mend our broken society and can restore trust in politics.’

Spring Conference in Brighton

I’ve just got back from the Conservative Spring Conference in Brighton. David Cameron made a fantastic speech – full of guts and passion – about fixing our economy and our broken society. He spoke for nearly an hour without a single note. A really impressive performance from a man clearly cut out to be Prime Minister.

You can read his remarks or see his speech by following this link http://playpolitical.typepad.com/uk_conservative/2010/02/key-extracts-from-david-camerons-speech-to-the-tories-spring-forum-in-brighton.html

Conservatives Criticise MPs’ Holiday Decision

Christopher Pincher says Brian Jenkins should not have voted for another long holiday

Local Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman, Christopher Pincher, has criticised Labour MPs for voting for another long holiday in February, just three weeks after returning from their Christmas break.  He also said that Tamworth constituency MP, Brian Jenkins, should not have voted for a holiday.  Tamworth constituency covers part of Lichfield District south east of the city.

Government Fails on Grit

Christopher Pincher says Staffordshire roads are more dangerous thanks to government complacency

Tamworth’s Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman, Christopher Pincher, this week criticised government complacency after icy conditions gripped local roads and saw many become ice rinks.

The prolonged cold spell has seen local grit reserves run low with the result that only A & B roads will be targeted for gritting. Most side roads will be left unsalted.

Conservative Education Spokesman Visits South Staffordshire College

Christopher Pincher welcomes David Willetts to Tamworth

Christopher Pincher, Tamworth’s Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman, this week joined Shadow Secretary of State for Universities & Skills, David Willetts, on a visit to the Tamworth campus of South Staffordshire College in Croft Street.  The pair met college staff and students including Charlotte Burford who won a bronze medal at the World Skills finals in Calgary, Canada.  They also met hair stylist students and the builders of the college motor race car in the mechanics’ garage.