Local MP, Andrew Percy has written to the Highways Agency demanding action to deal with the appalling amount of litter along the side of the M62/A63.

Andrew explains, "I regulalry drive this route back and forth to meetings and was shocked at the large amount of litter there is along the route at the moment. There seems to be a particular problem with plastic carrier bags at the moment, many of which are snagged in trees or bushes.

Given that this is the main route between Goole and Hull, it doesnt really give a good impression of our area. It is also not good for the environment having so many bits of plastic and rubbish floating about. I've contacted the Highways Agency to ask what their schedule is for clearing rubbish along the route and I have also asked them to deal with the current levels of rubbish."

I recently met Peter Shipp of East Yorkshire Motor Services to discuss the changes to bus services in the Goole area. Residents have been particularly concerned about the changes to the 156/155 bus, with people expressing disappointment of the loss of a direct link to Goole Hospital.

Peter explained the changes to me in some depth and also provided me with the usage numbers for this service, explaining that the the 156/155 route between Goole and South Cave has lost money for some time.

Peter did explain that EYMS responded to this by extending the express services X55 and X56 which does provide a faster link between Goole and Hull, taking in many local villages along the way. I was told that due to timetabling it is not possible for this route to service the Hospital due to the added time that would be needed in the timetable. The extension of the express services is something of a gamble for EYMS and it is therefore important that, like with all bus routes, we try to support it as best as possible. It really is a case of use it or risk losing it.

My concern remains patients who may wish to get to the Hospital which is why I want to raise awareness of the East Riding's Medibus for Goole. This service operates on a Monday and Wednesday and can be used by patients and visitors alike. It is a pre-book service operating between 08.30 and 3.00 on those days and offers transport to both Goole and Scunthorpe hospitals.

The bus is open to all but the service is free to over 60s with a concessionary pass so long as they travel after 09.30. If anyone wishes to know more I would urge them to call the Medibus information line on 08456 445959.

Photo - Myself and Petet Shipp discussing the new timetables.

Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole, visited the Goole Branch of Hull & East Yorkshire Credit Union (HEYCU) in Pasture Road recently to meet with the staff and learn more about the work of this expanding social enterprise.

HEYCU was founded in 1999 as a "not for profit" co-operative enterprise to help the people of Hull and East Yorkshire to manage their money wisely by providing a safe haven for their savings, a source of affordable credit and user-friendly bank accounts.

Opening in Goole in 2009, it now serves over 200 local families, with more members joining every week.   Across East Yorkshire it has around 9,000 adult members and 750 junior savers and looks after more than £5 million in members' savings.  Its low-cost loans provide a more affordable alternative to those of doorstep lenders and High Street credit shops, as credit unions are the only lenders with a legal interest rate cap – of 2% per month on the reducing balance of the loan.

Andrew Percy MP played a leading role in the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Financial Education for Young People, which recently produced a report recommending that the Government promotes the provision of high quality financial education in schools.

John Smith, HEYCU Chief Executive, said: “We really enjoyed Andrew’s visit to our Goole branch and the opportunity to discuss with him his campaign to help young people to make better informed financial decisions.  He was particularly interested in our plans to work with local schools to provide school savings banks.  With the help of local volunteers, we currently run school banks in six primary schools in the Driffield area which not only encourage the children to adopt the savings habit from an early age, but also teach them a little about good ways to manage their money.  We believe this model could work just as successfully in Goole and district.”

Andrew Percy MP commented: “I was delighted to visit the Credit Union and to open my own account whilst there! Many people do not realise just how they could benefit from using the Credit Union.

We have seen a rise in high cost credit in the local area which is concerning. That’s why I would urge people to speak to the Credit Union before approaching these lenders.

In Parliament I am a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Credit Unions which aims to raise the profile of these valuable organisations. We are lucky to have a branch in Goole and I hope local people will make use of it.”

Local MPs, Andrew Percy, David Davis, Alan Johnson and Diana Johnson visited BAe Systems at Brough last week to meet with management and unions for a further update on proposals to end manufacturing at the site. The visit came just days after it was announced that India looked set to purchase French built aircraft rather than the BAE built Typhoon aircraft as part of a major contract.

Andrew Percy says, "The news on the Typhoon aircraft is a further blow to BAe and we were keen to hear what impact it would have on the company. We also wanted to discuss what was happening on a number of specific fronts at Brough. In particular, we continue to have concerns about the business case put forward by BAe to justify the loss of manufacturing at Brough. We are supporting Union demands for an independent review of the business case which BAe are refusing to allow. My view is that if BAe are so confident in their case then they have nothing to lose from the process and the owe it to the workers to allow this review.

Our primary concern of course remains doing what we can to support those workers affected by this decision. It is to be welcomed that BAe have pushed back the redundancies as late as possible. They also updated us on efforts to find new work for this highly skilled individuals. However, many of these opportunities are elsewhere in the country which is not an option for many workers. As local MPs we are clear that we want BAe to do everything it can to find a third party to take over the site to continue manufacturing in Brough.

We continue to argue that the case for the loss of these jobs has not been made and we will do everything we can to support Brough and its workers."

Local MP Andrew Percy is supporting the launch of Chance to be Chancellor 2012 and is calling on schools and young people in Brigg and Goole to take up in the challenge to learn about, and share their opinions on, Budget 2012.  Run by the Citizenship Foundation, in partnership with Aviva, Chance to be Chancellor is open to all 14-18 year olds across the UK.

Andrew Percy says, "Chance to be Chancellor is an online tool that challenges young people to make informed decisions on taxation and spending policies. This was run last year and resulted in the publication of the first ever 'Youth Budget'. I encourage any 14-18 year old who is interested to visit the website and get involved."

Running until the 20^th February, participants can enter into a national competition to win great prizes and visit HM Treasury in London.

To find out more and get involved visit:

www.chancetobechancellor.org.uk

Andrew Percy MP and ERYC Cllr John Barrett met with 3 representatives of UK coal,  John Hind, company surveyor, Spencer Warren, Heaton Planning and Andy Mortimer, Kellingley Colliery surveyor last Friday to discuss plans to extend mining into East Yorkshire.

The meeting took place to discuss the feasibility study being undertaken by UK Coal to mine under land in East Yorkshire near the villages of Pollington and Gowdall. If any mining were to take place it would run from Kellingley Colliery, 800mtrs underground.

Discussions have already commenced with the Environment Agency and the Internal Drainage Board regarding flooding issues in the area and solutions. The study has not yet been completed and may take a further eight weeks. If any plans were passed, the earliest any mining could commence would be 2013.

Andrew Percy says, “John and I were keen that we meet face to face with UK Coal to discuss the plans in detail. We were especially concerned to see where exactly the proposed extension area was and to ensure that it does not go under any of our local communities.

UK Coal explained that the extension area is centred on the boundary with Selby district and would not extend under any of our communities and nor would there be any above ground workings. The extension of their mining activities would extend the life of their pit and secure the hundreds of jobs at the pit for longer.

UK Coal is still considering their feasibility reports and will not be making any decision about applying for the extension until after that. John and I have agreed to meet them once these reports are complete. Residents can rest assured that we will keep them fully updated.”

Cllr John Barrett said “I found this meeting very instructive and I am more reassured from the maps I have seen. My concern was that UK Coal were seeking to mine directly under our villages.

However, mining activity can be disruptive and as such we need to know a lot more before we come to a view. Andrew and I will be meeting UK Coal again to discuss their flooding, environmental and subsidence reports in more detail. We need to be sure what the impact will be locally.

It is also important to remember that this is only the start of the process. If UK Coal does decide the extension is feasible, then they will have to apply to the Council for permission which will require proper consultation with residents.”