Weekly Meeting - Richard Graham MP

Richard Graham - MP for Gloucester

Richard started his talk by showing a video (now on utube) made just before the recent election where his majority was increased from 2400 to 7200.

This video and his talk shows his enthusiasm for the Regeneration of Gloucester.  Which is not just the physical appearance, but must include the Enterprise, Cultural and Moral aspects of the city.

The Fleece Hotel, The Prison, The Docks, new Justice Center, The Railway Station, ‘Bus Station, King’s Quarter were all mentioned as areas of major opportunity.  Tanner’s Hall was mentioned as one site that no one knows what to do with (flatten).  A city the size of Gloucester should take on challenges.  Successes include The Railway Triangle (phase 2 will soon be underway) and the C & G Roundabout,. We must also make more of our heritage, especially the Civil War, with perhaps a museum in Westgate Street.

Enterprise - engineering is changing in the city the number of apprentices is rising,

The Tidal Lagoon HQ will be based in Gloucester, as the Swansea plans will go ahead, with other plans in the estuary also in the pipe line. Horizon Nuclear will be here. There are two breweries in Gloucester for the first time in 60 years. Sports and leisure are expanding, The Rowing Club, the Climbing Wall in Parliament Street are expanding and the North Docks will be further developed.

The culture of Gloucester must be improved. This will be the remit of Donna Renney.

We have the Cathedral and other religious sites but this is not enough; the Gloucester History Festival is a help in that direction.

The moral regeneration is more difficult to define, but we, as a City, must do what we can to stop knife crime and drug abuse within our borders.

Questions as usual followed the most interesting of which was how is the regeneration to be funded?  The answer, a combination of government, local government and private investment, which Richard says is how it should be. Well he would wouldn’t he?

Richard Allison