Julia Buckley MP

We are now waiting for the regulator, the Office of Rail and Road, to make its decision at the end of the month.

We discussed the economic benefits of the proposal, as well as the current capacity challenges on the West Coast Mainline. The Minister agreed with our case for cross-border connectivity and links to London.

I led a group of cross-party MPs from across our region to meet with Lord Hendy, the Rail Minister, at the Department for Transport to discuss the Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR) open access bid.

Trains matter to us in Shrewsbury, so I’m delighted the Government has signed a major deal between British Steel and Network Rail. It will see 337,000 tonnes of British Steel used to build and maintain railways, supporting jobs, manufacturing, and keeping the network moving.

I will continue to coordinate efforts with stakeholders to lobby for these extra trains, and I will leave no stone unturned until the decision next week.

Following meetings with Ministers yesterday to urge for their support, I have written again to the treasury given the huge economic benefits of the additional train service.

For Shrewsbury especially, residents and businesses have been very clear of the boost it would offer our town.

I am continuing to step up my campaign to secure the Direct Train Service to London (the Wrexham-Shropshire-Midlands Railway or WSMR) in advance of the regulator’s decision next week.

I have met with over 220 of the 347 farmers in my constituency and I remain committed to engaging with as many as possible to understand their views and support their needs.

We also covered, at length, proposals to change the rules around Inheritance Tax and Agricultural Property Relief. I reaffirmed my commitment to supporting Shrewsbury’s farmers and offered to act as a bridge between them and the government.

I met with Tom Bradshaw, President of the National Farmers' Union, along with other Shropshire NFU leaders.

We spoke about the newly announced trade deals with Europe, the USA, and India, and how these agreements could help Shrewsbury farmers by providing better access to international markets.

Shrewsbury residents and businesses often live with the threat of flooding all year long. We must do all we can to ensure flood management structures are fit for purpose, in the present and into the future.

The EAC inquiry that I secured is ongoing, and is looking at the impact of flooding on local communities and what more can be done to protect them, whether that be nature-based solutions or hard infrastructure projects.

She has worked tirelessly to draw attention to the difficulties people face not only with flooding, but in where to go for support after an event.

She chairs the Shrewsbury Flood Action Group and has been a vocal advocate for her community on flooding, something that she has experienced herself more than twenty times.

I was proud to welcome Siobhan Connor to Westminster yesterday to give evidence to the Environmental Audit Select Committee as part of the Flood Resilience in England inquiry.

I'm also proud to be the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Local Markets which pushes to bring recognition to the importance of local markets in bringing business and tourism to our towns.

Our own brilliant market, The Market Hall Shrewsbury has won Britain's Favourite Market three times in a row, a fantastic achievement!

It's the start of Love Your Local Market tomorrow, a campaign run by NABMA until Saturday May 31st. This year carries the message, 'Made by Markets' to reflect everything that a thriving market brings to towns; including new businesses, fresh food and community spirit.

And a sombre tribute in the lighting of the beacon to finish off the event, remembering those who contributed so much to secure our futures.

What a brilliant and moving event for the 80th Anniversary of VE Day in the Quarry this evening.

There were some brilliantly moving poems read by both adults and kids alike, and a fantastic performance by The Ronnie Singers, bringing a 40s atmosphere to the park.

This strategic group will look at a more joined up approach to our transport links, both in and around Shrewsbury and unlock our railway station for use as an economic and social hub to make journeys more enjoyable and lift this important gateway to our town.

I also recently formed STIG (Shrewsbury Transport Integration Group), where I brought a number of important stakeholders on board including ALSTOM, Transport for Wales, Midlands Connect, West Midlands Railway, Network Rail, Shrewsbury Moves team, Shrewsbury BID, and Shropshire Council.

The initial plan is for 5 direct trains a day from Shrewsbury, with the option of a further 3 for early morning commuters, if successful.

I assembled a cross-party group of MPs to sign a letter to Sir Andrew Haines, Chief Executive of Network Rail, to back and endorse WSMR's (Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway) application to run trains directly to London, improving rail links in a number of constituencies, including Shrewsbury.

Every child deserves to start the school day well-fed and relaxed and every parent should be able to get to work on time without added stress.

I’m proud of this policy and look forward to seeing it continue to grow in the future both in Shrewsbury and across the country.

Staff have worked incredibly hard to prepare, and their commitment to supporting pupils and families really shines through.

It was a real honour to cut the ribbon at Oakmeadow CE Primary School, in Bayston Hill, to launch their new free breakfast club recently, as one of the early adopters of the Labour government’s new initiative.

I have written directly to the Post Office to question both the reasoning behind this decision and the way it was handled — with no consultation with local stakeholders or residents.

I will continue to press for clarity on this issue and to fight for the services our rural communities deserve.

I had a really valuable visit to Minsterley today to meet with the Chair of the Parish Council, local residents, and the owner of The Flower Shop, following the recent withdrawal of their Post Office outreach service.

It was great to pop into shops, including The Good Egg Bakery, Shrewsbury Arts and Crafts, Lily M, Red Brick Bagels, TONI & GUY, Bombos, Vinterior and Badu Boutique.