My Barnoldswick & Earby Times, Colne Times and Nelson Leader Column for Friday 6th July 2018…
Firefighters from Pendle are continuing to work round the clock to help fight the wildfires on Saddleworth Moor and Winter Hill.
Both fires have been blazing for well over a week and I cannot express how much admiration I have for the incredible hard work and perseverance hundreds of firefighters drafted in from across the country are putting in, under extremely difficult conditions. The support they are receiving, from the Army, police, specialists from United Utilities, staff from several local authorities and so many others is invaluable.
I plan to visit the affected Moors soon to see at first-hand how the fires are being tackled, and have been in touch with the Fire Service to receive assurances about how vital infrastructure is being protected. I was in Parliament on Monday for an urgent debate on the fires where the Government gave welcome assurances about providing whatever resources were needed to stop the fires.
We will bring these fires under control, though the weather does mean this is taking time. People guilty of setting these fires, who obviously do not care about the dangers and costs they inevitably cause, will be brought to justice and I welcome the arrest already of a young man in connection to the fire at Winter Hill.
Meanwhile, I was pleased to see the introduction this week of legislation to make up-skirting illegal, progress on pumping £450 million into building houses on surplus local authority land rather than on the greenbelt, and the start of a consultation on longer tenancies to those in the private rented sector.
There has also been an agreement reached with Northern on their compensating season ticket holders affected by the major disruption to the rail service, with details on how to claim this due to be published soon.
Finally, best of luck to the England football team as they take on Sweden tomorrow. It is great to see players like former-Burnley star Kieran Trippier take on and beat the world’s best. It is remarkable how many of the team are from the north or play their football here. They are doing our country proud.
