I continue to focus on delivering infrastructure in Chelmsford as I know how important this is to local residents. I recently visited the Beaulieu Station site where work is continuing at pace. The station remains on track to complete by the end of 2025. Once open, this will reduce the number of people driving into Chelmsford station and help reduce traffic in central Chelmsford. The Generals Lane Bridge is due to be opened this summer.
Until the end of August there will be weekend rail services, then another major construction phase on the railway will commence after the Bank Holiday Weekend. Another piece of work will need to take place in central Chelmsford near the viaduct over Parkway. This is to enable the signalling for the new station.
Greater Anglia have now completed the upgrade of all the trains and carriages on services to Chelmsford. This means our train service is now much more reliable. A new summer rail timetable has now started including more trains in the morning peak hours when the average gap between trains is 8 minutes. The 07.09, 07.27, 07.51 and 07.58 are likely to be the least busy and the 08.28 is a Chelmsford starter.
Local residents often speak to me about crime and policing. There are now record numbers of officers in Essex Police. Crime rates for many types of crime have dropped. I was pleased to hear that Domestic Abuse rates have also started to come down in Essex. I recently met the team at Essex Police who specialise in tackling this awful crime. If you witness any crime or anti-social behaviour, please to report this to the police. This helps the police to build a mosaic of activity, target their resources and make arrests.
In Westminster, I continue to focus on a number of national and international issues. I have been working with other former Children’s Ministers on tackling the impact of online pornography for young people. I have also been very active with cross party members of the All Party Groups for Ukraine and Sudan where wars continue to cause devastation.
I know that many Chelmsford residents also care deeply about the environment and energy issues. I have been honoured to have been selected by colleagues to serve on the Select Committee for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Chelmsford recently held a “VolFest” for the many different voluntary organisations that make a difference to our community. From the Men’s Shed which helps tackle loneliness, teams supporting patients in our hospitals and the SOS night bus of paramedics on the High Street on a Saturday night there is so much good being done. There were over thirty groups at the festival, all of which are looking for volunteers. If you are interested in helping, or want more information then contact Chelmsford Voluntary Services or write to me.
As ever, if you require assistance with a problem or an issue, please do get in touch with me by email on vicky.ford.mp@parliament.uk
