Richard is campaigning on behalf of communities living near the M4 and the A34 who are suffering from road noise.  Richard secured a debate in the Westminster Hall where he asked Gillian Merron MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department of Transport, if she would:

“…Give a commitment that if the road surface deteriorates to the point where it needs replacing, an improved quiet road surface will be applied?”

She replied:

“I can gladly give the hon. Gentleman the commitment that the deterioration of the road surface of the M4, as with any other, will be treated in the correct way.”

Richard will continue to press the Minister and the Highways Agency to resurface the roads with a quiet surface.

For more information on this campaign see:
Press Release
Hansard Link

Richard is working with the local Council to promote their “Cleaner, Greener West Berkshire” initiative. This means using greater penalties for such things as dropping litter, dog fouling and fly-tipping.

New penalties for fly-tipping include fines of up to £50,000 or 6 months imprisonment, confiscation of any vehicle involved and recovery of both investigation and clean-up costs. The Council now has much greater powers to remove nuisance cars not showing valid tax and registration immediately without having to wait for the previous period of notification. The initiative also involves reducing the Council’s own “carbon footprint”.

Richard is also keen to promote the Streetcare. This service, provided by the Council, will respond to any reports of litter, fly-tipping and graffiti.  Richard says, “I ring Steetcare whenever I see a large-scale litter problem or fly-tipping when travelling around the constituency. It is usually cleared up with within 24 hours.”

For Streetcare ring 01635 519080

Richards “Dump the Junk” campaign is encouraging Departments, Quangos and Charities to send him publications by email rather than hard copies.

See Press Release   

Richard is leading a campaign across West Berkshire to improve our Rail Service.

Richards has:

• Had meetings with the Minister responsible and also with the Secretary of State, and Civil Servants.
• Presented a petition to Parliament.
• Set up a website: www.saveourtrains.co.uk
• Met with rail travellers on West Berkshire station platforms
• Presented a detailed submission to the consultation process outlining the effects of the proposed cuts.

He continues to

• Keep in regular contact with FGW
• Work with other MP’s in the First Great Western region
• Hold regular meetings with constituents and FGW

See www.saveourtrains.co.uk for updated information as at 6th June 2008

Richard campaigned on behalf of Newbury resident and war widow, Gillian Norbury.  Richard was appalled at the shoddy maladministration of the War Disability Pension rrangements for her late husband, Billy. He died in 1998 after suffering years of neglect by successive Governments.

Richard helped colleagues of the late Lt Norbury to raise the matter in Parliament. He took part in a demonstration in Whitehall and delivered a letter to Tony Blair at No 10.

Following a meeting with the Veterans Minister and subsequent questions to the Prime Minister Richard and a campaigning lasting nearly 3 years  Richard heard that they had been successful in achieving a back-dated war pension and an apology for mal-administration by the Veterans Agency.

For more information on this campaign see:

“An honourable conclusion” to War Widow’s plight."

As part of the campaign, Richard has tabled EDM 1408 which reads and has been signed by 177MPs, and reads:

Early Day Motion 1408

Questions to the Minister

Written Answers-Defence: War Pensions Committee
  (31 Jan 2006)

Written Answers-Defence: War Pensions Committee
  (30 Jan 2006)

Written Answers-Defence: War Pensions Committee
  (26 Jan 2006)

In August 2005 Richard was approached by some constituents who had come to the UK from Zimbabwe and were applying to stay here indefinitely, using rules for descendents of British Citizens.   The Government had held up the applications from all applicants from Zimbabwe since April 2004 claiming there was a “review” of these applications.  Richard campaigned by asking questions of the Home Secretary in a Home Affairs Select Committee and also of the Home Office Minister responsible during Questions in the House of Commons and, in November 2005, was told that they had been held up because of suspected fraudulent applications, but this investigation was now complete and applications would be looked at immediately.  Richard’s constituents, as well as the 300 or so other people across the UK, have now almost all had their applications considered.

Richard has supported a private members bill to change the definition of “brownfield land” so that it no longer includes gardens. The inclusion of gardens in this designation is resulting in housing being crammed onto site where such densities are not appropriate.

Richard is again supporting another attempt in Parliament to change the law to protect towns and villages from unwanted infill development.

Richard has fought a vigorous campaign to oppose the enforced closure of five local post offices.

In May 2007 he presented a 5,292-name petition to Parliament calling for the Government to rethink their proposals to close 2500 post office around the country.

Following the publication of the list of local Post Offices targeted for closure in December 2007. Richard submitted his contribution to the public consultation and led a high profile campaign to encourage responses from his constituents.

The consultation reported and Richard expressed his bitter disappointment and frustration at the news that all five Post Offices targeted for closure in his Newbury constituency will close despite massive opposition from local residents.

Englefield, Shaw, Hampstead Norreys, Station Road and Chapel Row Post Offices have closed regardless of the serious difficulties that this will raise for residents, particularly the elderly and disabled.

Richard said:

“It is a real disgrace that the Government failed to listen to the strong voice of local opinion which was robustly opposed to these closures.  Our local Post Offices are vital amenities and often the only accessible shop for elderly or disabled people.  My aim now is to secure a future for our remaining post office network.”

In March 2008, Richard spoke on a debate on this issue. 

For more information click here:

For your information, my submissions to the consultation can be read here:
	Submission to the Consultation - Chapel Row
	Submission to the Consultation - Englefield
	Submission to the Consultation - Hamspead Norreys
	Submission to the Consultation - Shaw
	Submission to the Consultation - Station Road