High Peak MP looking forward to focusing solely on home matters

Parliament has now recessed for the summer, which means that for the next few weeks, I won’t be travelling up and down to London every Monday.
By Robert Largan
Published 30th Jul 2020, 07:00 BST
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I don’t have anything against London but there really is nowhere quite like the High Peak.

As we slowly start getting back to normal, I am pleased that it is now possible for me to start holding my weekly surgeries again.

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I’ve tried my best to be the most accessible MP in the history of the High Peak, which hasn’t been easy during lockdown.

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Robert Largan is looking forward to a summer helping constituents in the High PeakRobert Largan is looking forward to a summer helping constituents in the High Peak
Robert Largan is looking forward to a summer helping constituents in the High Peak

But I’ve continued to hold regular telephone appointments and I’ve taken up nearly 10,000 individual cases on behalf of local people.

More businesses and public places are continuing to reopen and it was great to visit New Bodies Gym in Buxton and New Mills to see what steps they’ve taken, and learn more about the summer football and multi-sport camps provided by Peak Active Sport.

In very welcome news, care homes are now allowing visitors.

I know that one of the toughest parts of this crisis has been the long separation from family members in care.

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Care homes are essential local institutions, which is why I fought so hard to help keep Goyt Valley House open.

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As lockdown eases, I am taking care to help local people with other key issues alongside coronavirus.

For example, I have met with High Peak Access Group to discuss how to improve disabled access to public transport hubs.

This been a long running issue for me and I will do all I can to boost access across High Peak.

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This week I am especially conscious of the mark left on Whaley Bridge by the Toddbrook reservoir incident.

The temporary dam repairs are complete but the full repairs are still needed and estimated to take three years and cost an extra £10 million.

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In my view, it is vital to not just repair the dam but actually improve it, creating a lasting legacy for future generations.

I’m always keen to hear local people’s thoughts on this, with two regular suggestions being a hydro scheme and a proper circular path of the reservoir.

We face many challenges but also have lots of reasons to be excited for the future.

Robert Largan is MP for High Peak.

Related topics:High PeakLondonParliamentRobert LarganCare homesBuxton