Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Uttoxeter Echo. This column was originally featured in the 21st December print edition.
It seems hard to believe but we are just a few days away from Christmas and almost at the end of 2022. In Uttoxeter, it has been a busy year and, despite the global economic challenges facing the country, there are reasons to be optimistic about 2023. With the continued development of plans to revitalise our town centre, more police officers on Staffordshire streets and further investment in our local NHS, I will continue to deliver on the people of Burton and Uttoxeter’s priorities and level up our local area.
I am pleased that earlier this year, East Staffordshire Brough Council made clear its intentions to compulsory purchase the Maltings Shopping Centre in Uttoxeter. This will help create an exciting new opportunity for our historic market town, regenerating an area in much need of TLC. When I undertook my town regeneration survey in 2021, there was strong public support to regenerate this site and to redevelop it into something that residents can be proud to visit again as part of the town centre. As plans begin to develop over the coming year, I will continue to work with local councillors and the public to ensure that the views of residents are fed into the redevelopment process.
Elsewhere we have made progress in making our case to secure much needed investment into the A50. In September, Midlands Connect published research which demonstrated how wide the impact of delays on the A50 is to our region and the knock-on effect this has on all road users as well as local businesses. The figures make a convincing case for upgrades to the A50 in and around Uttoxeter and I have convened a meeting with representatives from the Department for Transport early in the New Year, along with Midlands Connect and other Staffordshire MPs, to push for investment for these improvements to level-up the A50.
As 2022 draws to a close, I want to wish all readers of the Uttoxeter Echo a very happy Christmas and I look forward to continuing to focus on residents’ priorities in 2023.
