I have had a productive few weeks across the Forest of Dean and am pleased to share a number of updates on the key issues I have been involved with. There have been many rewarding moments—engaging with local businesses and initiatives has been particularly insightful, and I always welcome the opportunity to visit places making a real difference within our constituency.

While I am writing this, we are approaching the local elections, and while you are reading this, the election results will be published, and we will have the time to reflect and process the outcome. No matter the result, I will welcome a collaborative relationship with Gloucestershire County Council to deliver meaningful results for the Forest of Dean. Our constituency requires significant support regarding school funding, SEND provisions, and—an issue I know affects so many of us—highways. I am committed to working with any administration to ensure the Forest of Dean does not get left behind and that we receive fair investment.

Severe traffic disruption has yet again affected residents across the Forest of Dean in recent weeks. I share your frustration, and so I have been engaging with Highways to inform them of the significant disruption when getting to work, attending hospital appointments, or reaching family members. Some days were particularly challenging on our roads, with multiple locations experiencing gridlocked traffic. The A48 at Westbury, Steam Mills Road, and Newerne Street Bridge in Lydney were significantly disrupted. I appreciate the distress and frustration this has caused residents living or driving through these areas. With ongoing roadworks coupled with failed traffic lights, the Forest of Dean is far too familiar with this frustrating situation.

I have written to Gloucestershire County Council Highways demanding action, including a full review of current roadworks, immediate steps to restore traffic flow, and an explanation of how this situation was allowed to happen. Future projects must be better planned and communicated. I want to assure you all that I am dedicated to ensuring our roads are maintained to satisfaction and future road works are planned with residents in mind.

Throughout April, I had the pleasure of visiting local organisations and community projects that are making a real difference in our community. The Butterfly Garden in Cheltenham—a therapeutic, educational and social initiative that supports people of all ages and abilities through gardening and creative activity—was a particular highlight for me. It was great to meet and speak with Chris, who leads the project. With volunteers at its heart, it offers a variety of activities, including woodwork, art, and cookery. The project now supports over 100 students each week across a four-acre site.

I was also lucky enough to visit the Child Contact Centre in Cheltenham. They are an incredibly supportive charity that has created a safe and neutral space where children can spend time with a parent they do not live with. They are focused on putting children first during difficult family circumstances. It was a pleasure to meet with Louise, the Centre manager, to hear about their plans to expand their services into the Forest of Dean. They have now secured a building in Cinderford. It is fantastic to see such a valuable and compassionate service coming to our constituency to support those in need of their help.

Finally, it was a real pleasure to return to Daffodil Court in Newent for a Games Night with residents. I first visited to speak with them about ongoing concerns about housing repairs and legal disputes involving FirstPort, their property manager. Since then, I have contacted FirstPort directly and will continue advocating to ensure residents are not left to shoulder the burden of poor management. The residents kindly invited me back for a fantastic evening of conversation, laughter, and some incredibly competitive bingo.

As we move into the summer months, I am looking forward to engaging with more community organisations, attending village and school fetes, and holding surgeries across the constituency. In Parliament, I will continue to focus on the issues that matter to you, while back in the Forest, I will keep you updated on my work with the new Gloucestershire administration. As always, if there is anything I can help with, please do not hesitate to get in touch at: [email protected]