They have their new jobs at Westminster......

Now that our new PM Theresa May has started her new job and finding her place in the BREXIT script, I wanted to say that our campaign to fix the A303 past Stonehenge continues, and these are e-mails I wrote on the 12th July, during all the furore, as to who exactly, was going to be who, in the new cabinet!!
The e-mail in the first instance was sent to my contact at www.highways.gov.uk and copied to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk 

www.johnglenmp.com   www.robertgoodwill.co.uk

 www.salisburyjournal.co.uk and some others....

Dear Sarah,

 

During this time of unsettlement within our Government post Brexit, change of PM, and the potential for an a looming General Election, as the Founder of STAG: Stonehenge Traffic Action Group, I would like your assurances that the plan promised by the then Prime Minister on 3^rd December 2014 will not be de-railed and will remain at the fore front of work to be done on the Amesbury to Berwick Down section of the A303.
Traffic in the village of Shrewton has, as expected, increased and the flow of vehicles rat running to avoid queues on the section of A303 past Stonehenge, is now more or less constant peaking on Friday afternoons between the hours of 1530 and 1700.    During school holidays this significantly increases.
I would like all parties – as a group, to witness the increase and how dangerous walking in our village has become, especially from the houses just inside the 30 mph sign, for a distance of over a quarter of a mile on London Road, where there are no pavements leading down the hill, including a left hand bend, into the village.    Speeds are also increasing and this is borne out by the statistics sent to Wiltshire Police Community Speed Watch scheme operating within our village at varying times.
I look forward to hearing from you all.
Best Wishes
Janice Hassett
STAG: Stonehenge Traffic Action Group
 As explained in a previous posting, Highways England are a changed bunch and are more approachable than those at Highways Agency and we received this answer within hours of our e-mail to them....  

"Hi Janice

Good to hear from you. Please let me reassure you that we are continuing to work to programme at the moment, and in line with the delivery plan.
Hope all is well with you
Regards
Sarah"

Also, within hours of finding out who was chosen by Theresa to be our new Secretary of State for Transport in place of Patrick McLoughlin MP,  STAG whizzed off an e-mail to The Rt Hon. Chris Grayling MP as can be read below https://www.gov.uk/government/people/chris-grayling   As is the norm, when writing to anyone at Westminster, we received the usual Parliamentary acknowledgement and have to assume that "someone" will read our e-mail and pass to the correct department:

Dear Mr Grayling,

I would appreciate if you will take the time to read the thread below, and in your new office of Secretary of State for Transport, assure me that the previous promise to fix the A303 past Stonehenge will not be delayed and the Timeline attached will remain in place.

Best wishes

Janice Hassett

STAG: Stonehenge Traffic Action Group

 

 My original e-mail was copied to John Glen MP for Salisbury, and whilst we didn't expect a reply immediately because he was probably waiting on that all important phone call!!! we have to congratulate John in his new position of PPS to Philip Hammond at the Treasury, he has come back with this response..... (PPS: Parliamentary Private Secretary)

"Dear Janice

Thank you very much – I am really pleased.
I did indeed see your email. I have heard concerns voiced that Brexit would affect delivery of the tunnel but, suffice it to say, I have had no such indications from anyone involved.
As far as I am concerned, ring-fencing is ring-fencing and adequate contingency has been built in. Now that everyone is settling into their new posts, I do plan to seek specific assurances but I have not heard anything that has given me any cause for concern.
Very best regards
John"

Rest assured everyone.....STAG will not be allowing this trail to go cold!!
My ex boss before I retired always called me his "Little Terrier".....not letting go until it's in the bag!!!   All the best Allister Moorcroft.....loved ya!