This week, I’m pleased to see that work is underway to enforce new reduced speed limits across the city.
Since I was first elected as an MP in 2017, I have been campaigning for safer roads in this city. It is good to see the council listening to our concerns and working on lowering the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph on dangerous roads.
In Edgbaston constituency, speed limits could be reduced on Hagley Road West (Lordswood Road to Quinton Road), Wolverhampton Road South, West Boulevard and Shenley Lane. I know many of my constituents have written to me over the years with concerns over the safety of these roads.
Our new Labour government has also announced that it will develop a new road safety strategy. Under the Conservatives, England’s previous road safety strategy lapsed in 2019, leaving us the only G7 nation without one.
While I welcome the council’s scheme, there is still more to be done to make our roads safer. I will continue to work with local leaders and our Labour government to ensure that we see the change we need.
Birmingham City Council Finances
This week, the Audit Reform Lab at Sheffield University published a report which claims that the council’s financial collapse and consequential cuts to public services could have been avoided.
The recent, severe cuts to public services in Birmingham will impact residents for years to come.
This report has raised serious questions about the last government's handling of Birmingham's financial situation. We need an independent inquiry.
For more information about the findings in this report, follow the link below:
Library Closures
This week, the council revealed its proposal for the future of Birmingham’s libraries.
In an attempt to make savings worth £2.3m, the council has put forward a series of suggestions for how the service could run differently. It has proposed keeping Quinton Library open full time as an Edgbaston constituency hub. Under current plans, the services available at Harborne Library would be co-located and Bartley Green Library would remain open only if a community group chose to take over.
These proposals from the council are not final. The consultation over the future of our libraries is still open. I would encourage interested persons and community groups to turn up to the following in-person consultations:
Bartley Green Library: Tuesday 17 September, 10:30am to midday
Harborne Library: Tuesday 24 September 2024, 10:30am to midday
Quinton Library: Tuesday 24 September 2024, 3:00pm to 4:30pm
You can also complete the council’s survey here:
Read my full statement here:
Results Day
I’d like to pass on my congratulations to all the students who received their GCSE or VTQ results yesterday.
You have worked so hard and should be proud of the incredible work you have done. Take some time to celebrate and relax before you move onto the next stage.
Birmingham Weekender
Birmingham Weekender is back, running from Friday 23rd August to Monday 26th August across the city.
There is a great programme of free events for all the family. Find out more about what’s on offer on their website.
MHWC
Next Monday, the Mobile Household Recycling Centre will be visiting Coplow Street, B16 0DL, in North Edgbaston. The centre will be open between 7:30am and 1pm, so please come along if you have bulky household waste to dispose of!
Advice surgeries
There have been some updates to my advice surgeries. Please consult the new list below.
Best wishes,
Preet Kaur Gill MP
Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, covering Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, North Edgbaston and Quinton
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