A COUPLE of weeks ago, I unveiled the new flood defences in Bewdley.
It was the culmination of years of work, not just from the contractors digging 14-metre foundations, but all the background work to get it done in the first place.
Key was getting the then-Prime Minster, Boris Johnson, to promise to ‘get Bewdley done’.
He was true to his word and now both sides of the River Severn are protected from floods.
But its not just Bewdley getting money. Kidderminster is seeing a lot of investment, started under the last government.
I had a chance to look around the Town Hall, nearing completion as a state-of-the-art performing arts venue. And it really is amazing.
The old courtyard is now a fantastic bar, whilst the adjacent offices have been converted to a coffee shop. The main hall has state-of-the-art sounds systems and together, it will be one of the best theatres in the region. Opening of this venue is due soon.
The Piano Building is being converted to a craft ales bar, with offices above. The courtyard outside will be a venue to be able to watch big sporting events projected onto the wall of the adjacent building.
The new park, above Worcester Street, seems to be coming along at pace, opening up the town centre to the area above, where the old Glades Leisure Centre once stood, itself destined to be a high-end housing development.
All we need done to finish things off is the Crown House site by Weavers Wharf to be completed.
It has been a privilege to have played a part in delivering all this.
Of course, there is no shortage of people who play incredibly important roles making these things happen, and each and every one of them play their own vital role.
But it is good to see that over the 15 years I have been the local MP, we have seen all this and the Hoobrook link road, plus the new railway station.
It really is good to see all these projects coming to fruition.
Mark Garnier
MP for Wyre Forest
