10 MAY 2013

Stephen Phillips MP upped the ante in his ongoing battle to get speed limits on all roads in towns and villages across the County set at a maximum of 30mph by bringing Roads Minister Stephen Hammond MP up to the constituency to see the position in Lincolnshire for himself. Government guidelines are clear that all roads through villages and towns should have 30mph limits in place and, supported by residents and Parish Councils throughout the constituency, Stephen has been campaigning for two years to have the guidelines followed in Lincolnshire. Speaking during the ministerial visit, Stephen said, "We have many villages in the constituency where there are inappropriate and confusing speed limits. We need a consistent policy across the County so that drivers know when they enter a village they have to reduce their speed to a maximum of 30mph, to ensure the safety of children and the elderly in particular." The minister stressed the importance of the guidelines issued by the Government, adding that "if local councils follow the guidelines, that will help them give their residents, both car users and pedestrians, the safest roads, be they urban or, as they are here, in a rural setting."
22 APR 2013

The National Centre for Craft and Design is a world class facility, right in the heart of Sleaford, part funded by the Arts Council and the District Council and dedicated to the exhibition, celebration and promotion of international and national craft and design. Cllr Mrs Marion Brighton OBE, civic leaders and local MP, Stephen Phillips, were treated last week to a performance showcase of everything which is going on at NCCD, showing its importance to the arts throughout Lincolnshire, the East Midlands and nationally. Touring the gallery and performance spaces as part of the specially commissioned work before joining staff and performers to congratulate them, Stephen said, "I have been absolutely blown away by the quality of work on display and the performances which I have seen today. NCCD is a huge asset not just to Sleaford and the whole area, but to the whole of Lincolnshire. It attracts huge numbers of visitors every year and just how important this resource is for us all has been really brought home to me today. I will be asking the Secretary of State to come and see for herself just how good NCCD is."
11 MAR 2013

Leading onshore wind opponent and former Conservative MEP for the East Midlands, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, paid a visit to the constituency on Friday to help local MP Stephen Phillips and local residents in and around Stubton and Brandon with their campaign against the proposed Loveden Wind Turbines for which an application is shortly expected to be made. Stephen recently led a debate in Westminster Hall in which he made clear to ministers the objections and concerns of many of his constituents to the further development of Lincolnshire countryside to accommodate turbines which most oppose. Speaking at the well-attended event, Stephen said, "Onshore wind development ought only to go ahead when it has the support of local people which I am repeatedly finding it does not. Our part of the County is not suitable for these projects given wind loadings, and they are only being built because of the ridculous subsidies put in place by the last Government. I have repeatedly made clear to ministers that those subsidies must stop."