Wantage Road Station
My campaign to re-open Wantage Road Station continues. Last week I met Rick Haythornthwaite, chairman of Network Rail, to discuss the possibility. IT is now on their radar, but we cannot begin to get the new station on the agenda until 2012. This gives us a good opportunity to conduct feasibility studies and get a campaign going on the ground in Wantage and Grove and surrounding villages.
I was also delighted to see that my assistance in negotiations between Network Rail and the Great Western Society over the Didcot Railway Centre has paid off - the local paper reports this week that a 35 year lease has been signed, which will allow the Society to fund raise. Along with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, we should see huge progress on the site in the next few years.
Posted on 31 January 2010 by Ed Vaizey
My Legg Appeal
As the Sunday Telegraph reports, I have appealed my Legg findings. It's much less of a big deal than it might seem. In May I repaid the cost of my furniture, plus my council tax, because I had inadvertantly claimed for an additional month. Legg found that I should have repaid my council tax, (£136) - I agree. He asked for a small sum towards the furniture (£130) - much less than I had voluntarily repaid. And he identified £197 as a sum I had overclaimed on my mortgage. When I went over the figures, I saw that I had overclaimed, but in my view by only £162. The only way to clarfiy the difference in these figures for the final report is to "appeal", but as I have already voluntarily paid back a far larger amount, I will not be asked to make any additional payments. So I am not appealing as such, merely asking for the figures to be checked so that a final sum can be agreed. To sum up, I have been asked to repay £463, but I have actualy voluntarily repaid £2449.
Posted on 31 January 2010 by Ed Vaizey
New Hub in Wallingford
On Friday I opened the new enterprise hub in Wallingford. An idea from long-time resident David Bosley, it provides serviced offices for start -up companies in Wallingford. It's a great idea, especially as start-ups benefit from working together under the same roof, giving each other ideas and sharing problems.
Posted on 31 January 2010 by Ed Vaizey
Visit to Thruvision
I visited Thru Vision on Milton Parkon Friday. It's a spin off from the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and a good example of the kind of hi-tech comapnies which will be at the forefront of economic growth in our area. It uses the body's energy to scan people for hidden weapons or explosives. Unlike current technology, it doesn't use harmful x-rays and it does protect your privacy. It can also be used to scan people from a distance, so would eb sueful against suicide bombers. I hope the Uk government recognises the benefits of Thru Vision's technology and gets behind it.
Posted on 31 January 2010 by Ed Vaizey
Fitzwaryn School
On Friday I visited Fitzwaryn School to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The school is a special needs school based in Wantage and Grove. In 40 years it has had just three heads, the second and third being deputy heads who succeeded their predecessor. It's an example of the dedication and commitment Fitzwaryn inspires. It's a wonderful school which I have fought for in the past - first to secure its early years admissions, and then to help it provide post-16 education. Now its future seems completely secure - there is a huge building programme, with three new classes completed, a new sensory theatre and more to come. Fitzwaryn is a jewel in Oxfordshire's crown.
Posted on 31 January 2010 by Ed Vaizey