Good news for commuters, and tougher measures for dangerous driving

Last week in Gloucester and beyond

Commuter Trains

In December I wrote to the Transport Secretary about the half hourly service between Gloucester and Bristol which was due to end in May this year.

Gloucester Chamber of Commerce had been in touch to ask me to champion the ongoing funding of this service which is so important for businesses and other commuters in the south west.

I am pleased to say that the Transport Secretary has confirmed that the service will continue beyond May as part of the government's investment in transport infrastructure in the region.

I am really ambitious for Gloucester's growth and ensuring businesses and commuters can access the city with ease is an essential part of this. This move doesn't fix every challenge facing our rail service, but it's another win for Gloucester.

National rail fares frozen

For the first time since the 1990s, national rail fares will be frozen for a year and millions of people up and down the country will see the benefit.

I know that cost-of-living pressures are still high for too many people in Gloucester and transport costs can be a significant part of that. I'm encouraged to see the Labour government taking this step to keep household costs down.

And don't forget, this is all part of our wider plan to rebuild Great British Railways, in public hands

Road Safety Strategy

Plus, last week the Government has announced that they will be cracking down on the “Fatal Four” with a new Road Safety Strategy.

I am pleased that we will be seeing tougher measures around:

• Speeding

• Drink and drug driving

• Not wearing seat belts

• Mobile phone use

Since I have been elected as your MP I’ve heard from so many of you about dangerous speeding and unsafe junctions across the city.

Consultations will look at lowering drink-drive limits and introducing penalty points for seat belt offences. Because every life matters