Brian's MP Newsletter #27: Fire Stations, Melksham Hospital, Devizes Canal
A warm welcome to my latest update.
Well, the rain certainly continues! Thankfully, so far our area has escaped the very worst of the flooding disruption that has affected many other parts of the South West in recent weeks. I do genuinely hope the weather is about to turn a corner. I’ve even spotted the first few daffodils appearing in my village - so here’s hoping spring is not too far away.
Please do take a look at my latest updates below. As ever, if you find this newsletter interesting or useful, I’d be very grateful if you could forward it on to any neighbours or friends who you think may benefit from it too. And if you have any feedback or suggestions about what you would like to hear more of, please email brian.mathew.mp@parliament.uk with “Newsletter Feedback” in the subject line.
📌 In this edition:
- 🚒 Bradford on Avon Fire Station - have your say on proposed closure
- 🏥 Melksham Hospital - meeting upcoming with Health Minister
- 🐟 Devizes Canal - investigation into fish deaths
- 📍 Around the constituency - community visits and advice surgeries
🚒 Bradford on Avon Fire Station — Have Your Say
Many of you will already have seen the news that Bradford on Avon Fire Station is one of eight stations at risk of closure under proposals from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.
The decision is currently out for public consultation, and I would strongly encourage everyone to complete the survey and make their views known.
You can do so here - Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service | Proposed station closures.
Put simply, Bradford on Avon Fire Station provides a vital service - not only to the town itself but also to surrounding villages such as Winsley, Westwood and Holt. The crew also provide important support cover to neighbouring stations, including Trowbridge.
Over the past twelve months alone, the station has attended 110 incidents, around half of which involved supporting other stations across the wider area.
I have already met with the Chief Fire Officer to make my concerns about this potential closure very clear. I have also been in regular contact with fire officers based in Bradford on Avon and will continue those conversations in the weeks ahead.
Alongside Bradford on Avon Town Council, I will continue engaging with Fire Service leadership, local firefighters and the Fire Brigades Union as the consultation progresses.
There are also in-person consultation sessions taking place locally:
📍 United Church Hall, Bradford on Avon
• Tuesday 3 March — 6pm–9pm
• Wednesday 4 March — 10:30am–12:30pm
I am particularly concerned about the potential increase in response times if the station were to close - especially given Bradford on Avon’s location on the River Avon. The role played by our on-call firefighters in responding to flooding incidents and river safety emergencies is incredibly important.
I will continue speaking to all those involved and monitoring developments closely. I will provide further updates in future newsletters ahead of the consultation closing in June.
🏥 Melksham Hospital — Meeting with Health Minister
Following my question to the Prime Minister about Melksham Hospital at Prime Minister’s Questions last month, I’m pleased to confirm that I now have a meeting scheduled with Karin Smyth MP, a Minister in the Department of Health and Social Care.
This meeting will focus specifically on what practical steps can be taken to improve services at the hospital.
I will be raising several key issues, including:
- The clear need for a Minor Injuries Unit (MIU)
- Expanding community audiology services, which are cheaper to deliver locally than in acute hospital settings such as the Royal United Hospital in Bath
- The absence of a long-term clinical model and ten-year plan for the hospital.
At the moment, Melksham Hospital effectively operates without a clear long-term direction. That simply cannot continue.
I will also be seeking assurances around the continuation of X-ray services. I understand the current equipment is approaching the end of its operational life, and it is essential that replacement equipment is secured so this important diagnostic service can continue locally.
I will report back as soon as I am able following the meeting.
🐟 Devizes Canal Fish Deaths
Many of you will have seen the heartbreaking scenes recently on the Kennet & Avon Canal in Devizes, where large numbers of fish were found dead on the water’s surface without any immediately obvious cause.
I want to commend both the Environment Agency and the Canal & River Trust for their swift response in deploying aeration equipment to improve oxygen levels in the water as quickly as possible.
I have been in contact with senior Environment Agency leaders and understand that samples have now been taken and sent for testing at their Bridgwater laboratory.
As soon as I receive further updates, I will share them.
In the meantime, I would encourage everyone using the canal to remain vigilant and to report any pollution, spills or dead wildlife promptly to both the Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency.
📍 Around the Constituency
This week has been Parliamentary recess - meaning the House of Commons has not been sitting. In many ways, recess is one of my favourite times in the role as it allows me to spend more time here in beautiful Wiltshire and attend events across the constituency.
Yesterday, I spent a very enjoyable hour at the community café at Box Methodist Church. This committed group meets weekly and welcomes everyone through the door. It was lovely to catch up on village news, see familiar faces, discuss both local and national issues, and even meet a new resident who had recently moved to Box all the way from New Zealand.
Earlier in the week, I also visited the incredible team at Wiltshire Air Ambulance in Semington to hear more about their life-saving work supporting the NHS and responding to incidents right across Wiltshire and beyond. While I was there the air ambulance was deployed twice, so I witnessed first-hand how hard the team work.
I have also held two advice surgeries this week - one in Devizes and one in Box. These surgeries are a great opportunity to raise concerns or issues with me directly in person.
I have upcoming surgeries right across the constituency, including Calne South and Bowerhill. If you would like to book an appointment, please contact my office at brian.mathew.mp@parliament.uk, and we will be very happy to arrange this for you.
With best wishes,
Dr Brian Mathew MP