MP Newsletter #26: Household Recycling Centres, Proposed Fire Station Closures, Rail Update, Queen Camilla Visits Devizes
Welcome to the latest edition of my newsletter where I update you on what I’ve been up to in Westminster and in the Melksham and Devizes constituency. Recently we have seen the first rays of sun, and I am sure you will share my anticipation for the coming spring.
A huge variety of issues have come up in the last few weeks so let’s get right into the newsletter!
In this edition:
- 📱 Social Media
- ♻️ Household Recycling Centres
- 🐝 WASPI Women
- 🚒 Proposed Fire Station Closures
- 🍻 Business Rates Relief
- 🚂 Rail Update
- 👑 Queen Camilla Visits Devizes
📱 Social Media
I received nearly five hundred emails from constituents sharing their concerns about social media. A recent campaign has focused on banning social media for children under the age of 16.
Anxieties about social media and young people are understandable. The content young people are exposed to, especially on poorly regulated platforms like X, can be incredibly damaging.
Alongside my Liberal Democrat colleagues, I have been raising the alarm on social media harms as a public health crisis. There is a strong body of growing evidence that addictive algorithms and harmful content are damaging children’s mental and physical health, sleep, concentration, and overall wellbeing.
We recognise the need to act urgently, so Liberal Democrat Lords backed an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill which would ban social media for under-16s. I will consider these proposals carefully when they come before the House of Commons.
♻️ Household Recycling Centres
Many constituents have written to me to share their concerns about Wiltshire Council’s Waste Management Strategy, specifically the closure of HRCs at Purton and Lower Compton and the implementation of a booking system to access centres.
I wrote to Wiltshire Council Leader, Ian Thorn, to share the concerns of my constituents, in particular those in Calne South who would be most impacted by the closures. Thankfully, Wiltshire Council have renegotiated the deal with Hills which will allow the HRCs to remain open for up to 3 years.
🐝 WASPI Women
In yet another outrageous betrayal of WASPI women, the Government announced that after further review of the evidence, they would not be paying compensation to those impacted by the change in the state pension age.
I had previously signed Steve Darling MP’s letter calling on the Government to do the right thing and pay those impacted by the DWP’s maladministration, so this decision was really disappointing.
My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I will continue to champion the cause of WASPI women in Parliament until they are given the compensation they deserve.
🚒 Proposed Fire Station Closures
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) have announced that they are considering station closures across Dorset and Wiltshire. Bradford on Avon fire station is one of those being considered for closure. I am aware of the concerns that this will be causing in the community.
I have spoken to firefighters at Bradford on Avon and DWFRS leadership regarding these proposals. I will be scrutinising the rationale behind these proposals and I encourage affected members of the community to contribute to the consultation which will be going live on Tuesday 10th February. I will be sharing details of this on my Facebook.
🍻 Business Rates Relief
The plight of the village pub is an issue close to my heart. One of the greatest privileges I have as an MP is visiting local landlords and seeing the fine pubs our area has to offer.
It was really encouraging to hear that after Labour MPs have been banned from pubs across the country, the Government has offered a 15% relief on business rates to pubs and music venues.
Whilst this is certainly a step in the right direction, this offer does nothing for the wider hospitality and retail sector, including cafes, restaurants, and high street shops. The Government must do much more to protect this vital industry.
🚂 Rail Update
Getting more reliable train services across the constituency is one of my top priorities. The most recent data from Melksham Transport User Group shows that over the last 4 weeks, cancellations from Melksham Railway station have fallen to 2%. That’s down from 11% in mid-2025.
This comes after a meeting I had with GWR in November where I made the case that the rate of cancellations from Melksham station were unacceptably high.
Last week I went on BBC Radio Wiltshire to discuss the Devizes Gateway Project with Ben Prater. A station linking Devizes with the rest Wiltshire offers increased connectivity, access to jobs, education, and healthcare, as well as a boost to the local economy. I will continue to work on this opportunity for Devizes which forms part of the town’s regeneration.
👑 Queen Camilla Visits Devizes
On the matter of Devizes’ regeneration, I had the honour to meet HM Queen Camilla who came to hear about the important work going on to restore the Assize Court.
Devizes Assize Court Trust were recently awarded £8.5 million in funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Trust are working to bring the Assize Court back to its former glory so it can act as the new home of Wiltshire Museum. This promises to be a real asset to Devizes community and the Trust have my full support.
📬 Staying in Touch
As your MP, my job is to make sure every part of the Melksham & Devizes constituency is heard.
I am hosting surgeries in Melksham, Devizes, Box, Calne, and Bowerhill in February. If you would like to book an appointment or if there is an issue you’d like to raise, you can contact me by email at brian.mathew.mp@parliament.uk or by calling 01225 434216.
With best wishes,
Dr Brian Mathew MP
Your Lib Dem Member of Parliament for Melksham and Devizes
