Ponteland Flood Alleviation Scheme

I am delighted that work on the Ponteland Flood Alleviation Scheme is now complete, meaning that more than 250 homes and businesses in Ponteland are now better protected from the devastating effects of flooding.

Work on the £2.7 million flood scheme began in August 2020. The existing flood defence on the south bank of the River Pont has been replaced with one continuous sheet piled flood wall, which uses a stone effect and complementary colouring to fit in with the existing local environment. Furthermore, over 250 trees have been planted to replace those lost during construction, including by the river and in a meadow at Ponteland Community Primary School.

This additional investment from the Government for flood protection in Ponteland is hugely welcome news for the many residents and businesses who have been affected by the devastating consequences of flooding in the past.

The Government announced a funding boost for flood defence projects back in July 2020, and the Ponteland scheme was one of 22 projects chosen to benefit from the fund. 

I have been able to see first-hand the vital work that has gone into protecting our communities in Ponteland and it is brilliant that the work has now been completed. I hope that this Flood Alleviation Scheme, which has seen extra investment quickly turned into action, will give confidence and reassurance to local people who are concerned about flooding in the area.

Booster vaccines- what you need to know

As winter approaches, the NHS is expected to come under more pressure than usual, with COVID-19 circulating alongside other viruses and the seasonal flu.

That is why it is so important that you take up the offer of a third or booster jab if you are invited to do so. A booster jab will help improve the protection you have from your first two doses and will give you longer-term protection against getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

Booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are now being given to those who were vaccinated in the first phase of the rollout earlier this year. Booster vaccines will be given at least six months after your second dose.

Those people most at risk from COVID-19 are eligible for a booster vaccine, including:

• People aged 50 and over
• Frontline health and social care workers
• People who live and work in care homes
• People aged 16 and over with a health condition that puts them at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
• Carers aged 16 and over
• People aged 16 and over who live with someone who is more likely to get infections 

The NHS will contact you when it is your turn to have a booster vaccine. However, frontline health and social care workers can book their vaccines online and do not need to wait to be contacted by the NHS.

I am immune compromised and so recently had my third vaccine dose- if you are invited, I highly recommend that you do the same!

Please book to get your booster jab as soon as you are invited. It is by getting vaccinated that we will be able to protect our health, economy and freedoms and get back to a sense of normality.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-booster-vaccine/

Decade long campaign pays off for Hexham's schools

After a ten-year campaign, I am delighted that Queen Elizabeth High and Hexham Middle schools' brand new school buildings are finally complete. 

The new buildings are part of a £36 million investment in Hexham's schools, with state of the art new buildings and facilities, and sports and leisure facilities for community use.

Since I was elected in 2010, I have made it a priority to secure more money and better buildings for our local schools. Back in 2013, I launched the 'Invest in QEHS' campaign with Hexham Councillors Trevor Cessford and Cath Homer and brought the then Liberal Democrat Schools Minister David Laws to Hexham to lobby for a rebuild. 

The completion of the Hexham schools rebuild means that every high school across Tynedale and Ponteland has now been rebuilt or refurbished in the last decade, marking a significant moment in my campaign for better school buildings.

These state of the art new facilities will ensure that pupils get the very best education locally. My thanks to the government, Northumberland County Council and Councillors Cath Homer and Trevor Cessford for all their hard work. 

The new school buildings coincide with a funding boost for schools across Northumberland, with secondary schools across Tynedale and Ponteland now attracting an average of £6150 per pupil- an average increase of £160 this year. Meanwhile, primary schools will see an average of £4800 per pupil, meaning an average increase of £120.