Proud to see the opening of £50m. Burnley Bridge

Monday last week began with me welcoming a group of constituents to Parliament. It was great to talk to the Bangladeshi group with some other MPs and show them the wonderful place that is the House of Commons.
By Gordon Birtwistle
Published 12th Mar 2014, 19:38 BST
Business Secretary Vince Cable opens the new Burnley Bridge Business Park with MP Gordon Birtwistle and Coun. Charlie Briggs.Business Secretary Vince Cable opens the new Burnley Bridge Business Park with MP Gordon Birtwistle and Coun. Charlie Briggs.
Business Secretary Vince Cable opens the new Burnley Bridge Business Park with MP Gordon Birtwistle and Coun. Charlie Briggs.

I then had a meeting on Tuesday with Danny Alexander regarding two proposals for Burnley Hospital. The bids are for a new £10m. advanced specialist eye clinic, and a £5m. surgical unit at Burnley General Hospital, to serve patients across East Lancashire. I think it is really important we do all we can do to ensure we have an excellent local NHS and new services coming to Burnley.

The Budget council meeting was on Wednesday and I was very sad to see the council increase council tax. With the amount of money there is in reserves, it should have been held at zero.

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Then on Thursday Burnley was fortunate enough to have the Secretary of State Vince Cable come for the official opening of Burnley Bridge. The £50m. development is so important in Burnley as it will create 1,400 jobs. My own personal highlight and after four years hard work, I am delighted to see this has turned around the old Michelin site.

He was also fortunate enough to visit Velocity and their new 30,000 sq. ft. factory. He also visited VEKA Group who are a world-leader in recycling old PVC windows. VEKA plc has been a contributor to the economy of the area since 1986 when it first set up with just 30 staff operating from a modest 30,000 sq. ft. factory and Vince was able to see their £10m. expansion.

On the Thursday evening I hosted a very successful dinner with Vince engaging with local business people and was held in the wonderful Crow Wood. Thanks to Andrew Brown on his investment.

Friday was busy with constituency appointments and Saturday’s advice stall was as busy as usual. It was great to meet some new members on Friday.

Related topics:MPsParliamentAndrew BrownHouse of Commons