Rural Issues
John Gummer's efforts in the Rural areas of Suffolk Coastal
Rural Transport
I firmly believe that those who reside in the countryside are often the poorest served by public transport. We must have a proper integrated system whereby buses take people to the destinations of their choice at a convenient time, upon which people can then connect with other forms of transport (such as trains) to enable continuous onward journeys. Not only do we need an expansion of our services, but our existing infrastructure needs to be enhanced.
I fought hard and was successful in the reopening of the East Suffolk Coastline from Ipswich to Lowestoft. However, there are other areas that await improvement. Areas such as the Felixstowe train line and our rural bus links also need to be developed. It is my intention to continue my fight for transportation improvements in the rural regions of Suffolk Coastal.
New Technologies in Rural Suffolk
I am very concerned that parts of Suffolk Coastal are not left behind in the new technology revolution and in the use of broadband internet access. It has been bad enough that certain areas have been unable to receive ordinary signals for television and radio. The appearance of new technology blind spots could seriously impact local businesses and reduce their competitiveness. This could also affect our schools if they are unable to keep abreast of the new technologies and learning opportunities available to the rest of the country.
I have lobbied British Telecom and the Government and impressed upon them the necessity of equal coverage across the country to ensure that no individual or groups of individuals are excluded from the benefits of these new technologies.
Greenbelt Development
As Secretary of State for the Environment, I tightened considerably the rules about building in the Green Belt and on green field sites. We are too small a country to develop significantly beyond our present towns and villages. That's why I want to reclaim brown field sites and not splurge over the countryside as the Government seems determined to do.
I shall fight to defend Suffolk from this over development. In particular we do not want a 'linear town' between Felixstowe and Ipswich, submerging the Trimleys. Many of our villages have space for some few homes particularly for local people. They do not have space for the vast estates demanded by John Prescott.
Suffolk Coastal District Council
Suffolk Coast and Heaths
Suffolk County Council
Leiston Citizens Advice Bureau
The Suffolk Show
Suffolk Tourism
Suffolk Police
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