Have Your Say! Q&A with Rosie Cooper

Ask the MP… 

You asked we listened, and we are delighted to be able to introduce our new feature Ask the MP to our magazine. 

MP Rosie Copper was able to address some of your concerns below, to view the full Q&A visit our website www.aboutthetown.co.uk If you have a question, you’d like us to put to Rosie, please send it to editor@aboutthetown.co.uk and we will print them in the next issue.

1. What is your opinion on the Clean Air Zone Scheme?

“I am extremely concerned that many of my constituents, especially those in neighbouring areas like Orrell and Appley Bridge, who routinely travel into the area covered by the “Clean Air Zone”, will suffer financially as a result of this charge.  

“I have been approached by a number of constituents who are concerned for the impact this will have on their lives and livelihoods. Some are small business owners who have suffered enormously in recent years and believe this would mean the end of their businesses! 

“I do not dispute that the government must act to drive down emissions of dangerous pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, but measures must be implemented in a fair and timely way – especially when there will be an impact on neighbouring authorities like West Lancashire, which don’t get a vote on any of this! 

It is welcome that the Combined Authority has invited the government to reconsider, but as it stands, Phase 1 of the scheme, applying to buses, coaches, HGVs and taxi and private hire vehicles which are not licensed in Greater Manchester, is due to commence in May. If Phase 2 is wrong for Manchester, then Phase 1 is wrong for West Lancs. The government must take the chance to press pause on this ill-considered policy!” 

2. What is the status of the proposal for a train station here in Skelmersdale?  Many of us feel this is long overdue and we believe it would attract investment and new businesses to the area.

“This is the closest we have ever been to getting a train station in Skelmersdale since the original station closed in 1963. After years of campaigning on this matter, I am pleased to say that Lancashire County Council have now submitted a comprehensive ‘Strategic Outline Business Case’ to the Department of Transport, with a proposal for a railway station. We are awaiting the outcome of this application, and I have invited the Secretary of State for Transport to Skelmersdale to show him how important and revolutionary a train station would be for the town and its people.”

3. Many people feel forgotten about and unheard in this town – Can you offer any reassurance that we are being heard and that the issues we raise are being acknowledged and dealt with?

“Any request for assistance that I receive, or constituent alerting me to an issue is responded to and I will assist in any way that I can as West Lancashire’s elected Member of Parliament. Often that is to raise these concerns with the local Councils, health services or Government Departments.

“Unfortunately, I cannot dictate how the Councils, NHS or Government respond to or act on the concerns I raise. It would be for those organisations to clarify how these concerns are dealt with but I always continue to press my constituents’ cases.”

4. The state of many of our roads and paths here in Skelmersdale is extremely concerning.  What is being done to improve them for the future?

“Lancashire County Council are responsible for the roads in Skelmersdale and responsibility for the paths are split between LCC and West Lancashire Borough Council. Although I constantly raise my frustrations with the poor maintenance of both the roads and paths in Skelmersdale directly with the Executives within the council, I hold no power to directly improve them. These questions would best be answered by the elected councillors from both LCC and WLBC, as they cast votes on these policies and priorities, within the constrictions of the money available to them, of course.”