Regrettable my input necessary at Kitt Hill

Since I spoke out last week about the situation in Kitt Hill, the feedback I have received has been significant – most of it positive, from people relieved to see work is now underway to finally sort out the closure and for the full, frank appraisal of what has been happening. It is regrettable the situation became such my help and intervention was necessary for the situation to be sorted, but with this having now come to a head, we are now seeing the first progress since I prompted the narrowing of the scaffolding and partial reopening early last year. I was shocked that the Lib Dem councillor for Sherborne West lives in Exmouth and has done for some time.

On Tuesday last week, I

Politics

attended the Westminster Hall debate on South West Water. It was welcome scrutiny. The pressure we have been applying to water companies through the work carried out in the Environment Act is paying off. We are seeing water companies across England committing to monitoring their outflow sites, providing transparency in a way that has not been done before, and promising to cut the number of spillages of wastewater in storm surges. The lights on the old ‘Mitsubishi Roundabout’ on the A35 in Bridport which have not been working for some time and have presented a hazard. I have been putting pressure on National Highways and the energy firm and I am pleased this issue has now been resolved.

I met NFU farmers from West Dorset in Sherborne. It was very helpful hear a range of issues like mental health in the industry, national food security, energy provision and conservation efforts.

I spoke with town councils to discuss some of the key issues affecting them. Now that Dorset has been successful in attracting around £6 million through the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund, much of the funding has yet to be allocated. We also discussed the news of the new bus recovery scheme and extension to the £2 bus fare cap which I know will be of major assistance to so many in West Dorset reliant on our rural bus services, and the £4.8 million extension to Dorset’s household support scheme now supporting eligible households into next year. Finally, more good news on the Heart of Wessex Line. I went to see the works on the track to fully replace 60-yearold rails on Monday morning after much campaigning to get this line up to an acceptable standard and better frequency of train service for local people.

GWR have now fully overhauled Yetminster Station and are intending to boost the number of car parking spaces for rail users. This comes as part of a full replacement of track bed along the line, intending to further improve service times and passenger experience.

It’s lovely here, but you can help me make it even better

Hello! Have we met before?

If not, let me introduce myself: my name is Edward Morello and I am your Liberal Democrat candidate for Parliament in West Dorset. I had the huge honour of being the candidate in 2019 and I am delighted to have been chosen to be the candidate again.

It’s been a rocky few years, to say the least. We’ve left the EU and are still working out how to trade with our neighbours. We’ve struggled through a global pandemic long predicted but ill prepared for. Household energy costs have skyrocketed due to global events and the refusal to limit

By EDWARD MORELLO West Dorset LibDems

profiteering by energy providers. Wages have stagnated for 15 years. Failure to manage inflation has created a cost-of-living crisis. Sewage is being pumped into our rivers and onto our beaches at an unprecedented rate. And last time I checked we’ve four Prime Minister in four years. It would be easy to be disheartened, and I know many are. But in many respects we are also extremely fortunate. We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK. We are blessed with an unrivalled rural heartland and a stunning coastline. Our towns and villages have a sense of community long since lost in other parts of the country. Our farmers and rural businesses are keeping alive traditions that go back generations, and our beaches are a mecca for holidaymakers from all around the UK and abroad. Despite everything else going on the UK and the world when I’m out campaigning everyone I speak to, whether they’ve lived in West Dorset for one year or since birth, says: “I love it here!” I know we all want things to improve, and I believe change is possible. Next year we will have local elections for Dorset Council and the Liberal Democrats will be laying out our vision for what a Lib Dem-run council will do for residents; how we will improve NHS and care services, SEND provision, support for farmers and rural businesses, and clean up our rivers and beaches.

Before January 2025 we will also have a General Election and until then I’ll be out and about all over West Dorset listening to residents about what can be done to improve things. I’ll be knocking on your door soon, but if you’d like to speak sooner please email me at edward.morello@westdorset-libdems.org.uk