MP’s street market call
Monday 20th April 2009, 2:12PM BST.
Telford MP David Wright today called for the return of traditional markets to help bring borough streets back to life and promised to champion the cause.
Mr Wright, who described himself as a proud Oakengates “lad”, said he would love to see market stalls in the centre of his home town.
And he promised to champion the cause of markets at a select committee hearing in Parliament this afternoon.
He told a 200-strong audience at Oakengates Theatre today for a meeting of Telford & Wrekin Senior Citizens’ Forum: “There are good markets in Telford and struggling markets.”
Wellington market, he said, was a real success story but the few stalls remaining in Oakengates were a pale shadow of what used to be.
“I’m going back to London this afternoon for a select committee inquiry into how we can promote better markets,” he said.
“Oakengates used to have a strong and vibrant market and its town partnership and Telford & Wrekin Council need to work together to bring stalls back here.”
Lively market stalls would attract shoppers into centres such as Oakengates, Dawley and Madeley and give local economies a much needed boost, he said.
Meanwhile, the forum, which is open to residents aged 55 and over, was thanked by Councillor Andrew Eade, borough council leader, for its input in the budget-making process. He added: “This was a genuine consultation, we had more than 400 replies and made substantial changes to our spending plans as a result.”
He also said the council would be announcing a considerable investment to tackle the crumbling state of roads and pavements.
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Not long ’til the elections then??
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So, Rob. When David Wright says something sensible it is because there is an election coming. Your comments says more about you than it does about David Wright
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go for it, its about time oakengates had some life, but dont over charge the steet traiders for there pitch there having a hard enoth job trying to make a living as it is. no im not a trader. im some one with some common sence,who has seen the decline of markets. due to the rise in pitch rents going up ten fold.
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Its too late for championing Wrighty !
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Jon Ledbury said:
“So, Rob. When David Wright says something sensible it is because there is an election coming.”
He doesn’t exactly have a great track record when it comes to commenting on issues in his constituency (unless they involve Ironbridge or AFC Telford United).
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i agree – outdoors is best – why cant shrewsbury market get out of that old concrete building and be in the street it would be so much better there
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I’m not championing Wrighty Vic, I am simply saying it is no good criticising him for the sake of it when he makes a worthwhile comment
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Iam at a loss to know who the last comment by Jon Ledbury was referring to, he mentions Vic. but Icannot see a comment by Vic. does he mean Rob.?.It was a sensible statement by David Wright but one has to admit he usually jumps on other peoples band wagons .Let us hope something comes from his actions to benefit Oakengates ,all the small towns need any help available to enable them to flourish .
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“I’m not championing Wrighty Vic, I am simply saying it is no good criticising him for the sake of it when he makes a worthwhile comment”
I’m not championing anyone – it’s just a shame that he never felt able to criticise the previous Labour administration’s neglect of Oakengates (which has continued under the Tories).
He also claimed (locally) to be opposed to the post office closures, but then voted against a move to force a stay of execution until a review had been carried out.
He claimed to be opposed to any loss of the Town Park to development, but then refused to discuss the matter further or attend a public meeting (after promising to do so).
My criticism of him is not based on party politics – just that he’s the only MP I and others have got and he appears to make a pretty poor job of it.
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PS to my previous comment – who’s Vic????
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But then, on the other hand he did vote against the war in Iraq, did support over £200 million of money for schools in Telford and has also called for the council HQ to be moved to Dawley. I think he is sometimes too quiet on issues but then doesn’t get the recognition when he speaks out.
PS He too is the only MP I have and I would rather him than a Tory who will just slash public spending!
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I’m leaving politics out of my comments. On a personnal note, I have met and worked with David and found him to be very knowledgable and charming, you cannot help but like him. To be honest, I do prefer him on a personnal level to my own MP.
On a political note, I do think politics needs something new and have my own thoughts on that.
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