THIS month I had a meeting with Doug Claringbold, Managing Director at First West of England.
I was joined by Bradley Stoke and South Gloucestershire councillor Terri Cullen, who is working to improve bus services in Bradley Stoke, in particular the No. 73 bus.
We discussed multiple issues relating to public transport in our area, such as First’s ongoing recruitment campaign, which I have previously contributed to with a recruitment event in collaboration with the Job Centre.
We also focused on significantly underserved areas such as Winterbourne, where there is clearly an insufficient level of public transport provision.
I proposed solutions to this issue and in order to continue to drive for solutions I shall be working with First’s commercial team to try and secure an additional sustainable and commercial route to help resolve this issue.
I look forward to working further with First to push for improvements to our bus services and will continue to put pressure on the West of England mayor, who is responsible for local public transport across our area.
On May 1, I attended Winterbourne Down Carnival, which was a fantastic event, with brilliant support from the local community.
It was great to catch up with our Winterbourne councillors, Trevor Jones and Nic Labuschagne.
It was once again a very well-organised event, so I would like to thank the carnival committee for all their hard work.
In Westminster it was an honour to have met with some of the Chelsea Pensioners this month at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
It was great to be joined by Conservative Party Chairman and MP for Chelsea and Fulham Greg Hands, in my capacity as Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party with a special responsibility for veterans.
This month I met with the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Vadym Prystaiko, at the Ukrainian Embassy to discuss the ongoing military support for the Ukrainians in the war against Russia.
I am very proud of the role of MoD Abbeywood (Defence Equipment and Support) for all they’re doing in facilitating the procurement and delivery of equipment to Ukraine.
This week I met with representatives from MBDA and was delighted when the Defence Secretary announced this week that the UK would supply Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine.
As always, should you need my help with anything, my office is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm.
Please telephone me on 01454 617783 or email me at jack.lopresti.mp@parliament.uk if I can be of assistance or to book a surgery.