James Wharton

Last night I joined around 20 local business people for a dinner with the Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Shadow Minister for Wearside, Mark Hoban MP.

Everyone seems to have found the evening worthwhile and it was a useful opportunity for some of our local business community to inform the national Conservative policy debate.

Along with Grangefield Ward Councillors, Phillip Broughton and Aidan Cockerill, I am campaigning to save the Post Office on Oxbridge Lane.  The Gazette have covered the campaign today, we need as many people as possible to tell they Royal Mail that this branch should not close so all publicity helps!

http://ts18.gazettelive.co.uk/2008/02/campaign_grows_in_stockton_aga.html

The Northern Echo have picked up on my comments about the Connect Tees Valley Bus Users Forum:

  http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/teesvalley/
display.var.2077120.0.public_has_say_in_how_to_improve_transport.php

Tonight I attended a meeting of the Connect Tees Valley Bus Users Forum at the Swallow Hotel.  It was an initial meeting to attempt to set up a forum so that bus service users can have a real say on our local transport strategies and direct link to operators.  It was an interesting meeting but I am concerned that, as often happens with any bus services reorganisation, it could simply be a way of cutting back on the less financially profitable routes.  I suppose time will tell but at least local people are being given the chance to be involved with the decision making process.

The Evening Gazette have picked up on my efforts to promote the long overdue regeneration of Mandale Triangle and Thornaby Town Hall:

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2008/02/22/breathing-life-into-triangle-84229-20509635/