My Priorities for York Outer
1. Securing Our Green Spaces and Delivering on Flood Defences
After we successfully campaigned together to protect Askham Bog from development, we need to ensure more green spaces are protected and suitable sites are protected from flooding. I will do this by:
Working with councillors and communities to see York’s Local Plan adopted. This will stop developers applying to build more houses on our greenbelt.
Arguing for our interests in Parliament by urging for the prioritisation of brownfield sites for redevelopment.
Continuing to hold my regular meetings with the Environment Agency and other partners to press the delivery of the £34 million upgrade to our city’s flood defences.
2. Delivering Devolution For York
Many parts of the country, including the nearby Tees Valley, have had a devolution settlement. This has seen major decision making and funding given to local areas. I will ensure York gets the best deal by:
Working with other local Members of Parliament and local authorities to deliver the devolution deal agreed on Yorkshire Day 2022 as soon as possible so there is no delay in unlocking additional investment for our area.
Working alongside City of York Council and local communities so the strongest case is made for maximum investment. The more investment we get, the better our transport network can develop.
3. Championing York and the Business community
As our local and national economy adapts to new challenges, I am working with government and our local council to ensure our businesses have what they need to succeed. I will do this by:
Supporting the York Central teardrop development, one of the largest brownfield sites in England. It’s development will deliver millions of pounds of investment and thousands of jobs for our city.
Continuing dialogue begun during the pandemic by engaging with cafes, pubs and restaurants while meeting representatives from the tourism sector to learn what support was needed. I’ll continue working with businesses from these key sectors to help support growth.
4. Improving Our Railways and Roads
To help build York’s economy and boost our post-pandemic bounce back, we need to invest in our transport infrastructure. I will help achieve this by:
Keeping pressure on City of York Council to deliver the dualling of the A1237 Ring Road after the Conservative Government provided £25 million for improvements.
Supporting future bids to build on the funding already provided by Government to develop plans for a new railway station for Haxby and the north of York.
Bringing together Network Rail, Northern Rail, City of York Council and the local Parish Council to explore sites for additional parking at Poppleton Station.
5. Improving Access into York for all Residents
York is an incredible city that all residents and visitors should be able to visit without hindrance. Sadly this is currently not the case but I am campaigning to change this. As part of my campaign I will:
Continue to ask questions in Parliament over City of York Council’s blue badge restrictions and support new legislation to protect accessibility.
Support Conservatives in York who are committed to replacing parking spaces lost by the Castle Gateway development.
Launching a petition to lobby City of York Council to reverse restrictions.
6. Ensuring The Best Education for our children
Every child deserves a first-class education to equip them with the skills to pursue a world of opportunities and I am working to build on the excellent offering already available in York. I am doing this by:
Ensuring the new National Funding Formula delivers fairer funding for York compared to past schemes.
Working on issues that arose from my Westminster Hall debate on the accountability of Ofsted following feedback from nearly 2000 teachers and parents from across the country.
