MP Newsletter #35: Fire Station Update, Healthcare, Volunteers Week, Carers Week, Rail, and more
It has been an exceptionally busy few weeks, both in Parliament and back here in the constituency, and it has really shown the full range of work that being an MP involves.
From successful local campaigns and lobbying on behalf of constituents, to speaking up in Parliament, meeting local organisations and getting out and about across Wiltshire, there has certainly been plenty going on.
One of the things I enjoy most about this role is the variety. No two weeks are ever the same, but everything ultimately comes back to the same goal - standing up for our communities and making sure local voices are heard.
There's lots to update you on below so it’s a bumper newsletter – please do use the contents list below to guide you.
📌 In this edition:
• 🚒 Major breakthrough in campaign to save Bradford on Avon Fire Station
• 💬 Upcoming Bradford on Avon Q&A and constituency surgeries
• 🩺 Holding healthcare providers to account across Wiltshire
• 🙌 Celebrating Volunteers Week
• ❤️ Carers Week and supporting those who care for others
• 🚆 Speaking up for better rail services in Wiltshire
• 🚤 Out and about in Devizes
🚒 Bradford on Avon Fire Station Campaign Success
I am delighted to share some very positive news regarding Bradford on Avon Fire Station.
Following months of campaigning, the Chief Fire Officer has now changed his recommendation and is no longer proposing that Bradford on Avon Fire Station should close.
This is a major step forward and a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together.
Since these proposals were first announced, I have consistently opposed the closure plans. I met firefighters, attended public meetings, visited the station, raised concerns directly with the Fire Authority and Government ministers, and secured a debate in Parliament where I highlighted the risks that closure would pose to public safety.
Throughout all of this, Bradford on Avon's firefighters have been exemplary. While continuing to respond to emergencies and protect our communities, they also worked tirelessly to make the case for keeping their station open. They demonstrated exactly why this station remains such an important asset for both the town and further afield.
I would also like to thank Bradford on Avon Town Council, local residents, neighbouring communities and everyone who took part in the consultation. More than 70% of respondents indicated they would be willing to pay more through council tax in order to retain local fire cover.
The revised recommendation has been made possible following discussions with Government around greater flexibility in the fire service council tax precept. The proposal would allow an increase of approximately £8.75 per year for a Band D property in 2027/28 and would help maintain vital fire services across the area.
The final decision will be taken by members of the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority on 30th June in Salisbury. I will be writing to all Authority members urging them to support the recommendation and secure Bradford on Avon Fire Station's future.
While there is still one final hurdle to clear, this is a hugely positive development and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make it happen.
💬 Bradford on Avon Q&A and Constituency Surgeries
One of the most important parts of my role is hearing directly from residents.
Following successful events in Devizes and Melksham, on Thursday 19th June, I will be holding a public Q&A session in Bradford on Avon. These events are always a great opportunity to discuss local issues, ask questions and share your views on the topics that matter most to you.
Register for your free place here - https://brianmathewmpbradfordonavon.eventbrite.com
Alongside these events, I continue to hold regular constituency surgeries right across our area.
Surgery appointments are private one-to-one sessions lasting around 15 minutes and can cover anything from housing and healthcare to benefits, immigration, local services or other issues where my office may be able to assist.
To book a surgery appointment, please contact my office on 01225 434216 or email brian.mathew.mp@parliament.uk.
🩺 Healthcare Across Wiltshire
Healthcare continues to be one of the biggest issues in my inbox.
Over recent weeks, I have heard from a significant number of patients, families and frontline NHS staff about concerns relating to services provided by HCRG Care Group, which delivers many community healthcare services across Wiltshire.
These include physiotherapy, district nursing, wheelchair services, health visiting and a wide range of other services that many vulnerable residents rely upon every day.
The concerns raised with me include difficulties accessing services, long waits through the Single Point of Access system, delays in referrals and worries from staff about the impact these problems may be having on patient care.
Following the large number of reports I received, I wrote directly to HCRG requesting answers and an urgent meeting. I also raised these concerns in Parliament to ensure they are being heard at the highest levels.
At a time when our local Integrated Care Board is undergoing significant restructuring and cost-cutting, my message is simple: patients must not be lost in the shuffle.
Alongside this, I recently met with NHS Property Services in Parliament to discuss how we can make better use of the healthcare facilities we already have.
We discussed both Devizes Health Centre and Melksham Hospital. I made clear my concern that valuable NHS space is currently being underutilised and that local communities deserve better access to services closer to where they live.
I was encouraged to hear agreement that Devizes Health Centre is currently underused, and I will continue pushing for more healthcare services to be delivered locally. We also discussed how clinical space at Melksham Hospital can be used more effectively as part of the wider campaign to expand services there.
Whether it is holding providers to account, tackling delays or improving local access to healthcare, I will continue pressing for answers and improvements.
If you have experienced difficulties accessing healthcare services, please do get in touch.
🙌 Celebrating Volunteers Week
Last week was Volunteers Week and it provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the incredible people who give up their time to help others.
One of the best parts of being an MP is meeting the countless volunteer groups that help hold our communities together – it’s so evident that volunteers make an enormous difference.
The communities we are fortunate enough to live in simply would not be the same without them.
I recently asked people on Facebook to tell me about the volunteer groups they are involved with, and the response was overwhelming. It was fantastic to see so many local organisations being recognised for the work they do.
If you are able to volunteer, even for a few hours a month, I would strongly encourage you to consider it. Not only does it make a difference to others, but many volunteers tell me they gain just as much from the experience themselves.
A huge thank you to every volunteer across our constituency.
❤️ Carers Week
This week is Carers Week, an important opportunity to recognise the incredible contribution made by both paid and unpaid carers across our communities.
Every day, thousands of people provide care and support to loved ones, often alongside work, family commitments and many other responsibilities. Yet too often carers go unnoticed and unsupported.
As Liberal Democrats, supporting carers remains a key priority. We continue to push for better support, better recognition and a care system that properly values the vital role carers play.
If you are a carer, or know someone who is, there are a number of organisations that can provide support, advice and guidance:
National Support
Carers UK – Advice on benefits, carers' rights, assessments and employment support.
☎️ 0808 808 7777
Carers Trust – Provides practical support, respite opportunities, training and specialist advice.
https://carers.org/
Carers First – Offers personalised guidance and emotional support for carers.
https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/
The Mix – Support for young carers under 25, including advice, helplines and wellbeing support.
📱 Text 85258 for urgent support
https://www.themix.org.uk/
Local Support
Carers Together Wiltshire – Runs regular support groups across Wiltshire helping carers connect and support one another.
https://carerstogetherwiltshire.org.uk/
Wiltshire Service Users Network (WSUN) – Ensures carers have a direct voice in shaping local health and social care services.
https://www.wsun.co.uk/
To every carer across Melksham and Devizes: thank you. The care, compassion and dedication you show every day makes an enormous difference to the lives of so many people.
🚆 Speaking Up for Better Rail Services
This week I spoke during the Railways Bill debate in Parliament to make the case for better rail services across Wiltshire.
Wiltshire sits on a substantial rail network, yet too often our communities are simply passed through rather than properly served.
I highlighted the fact that Melksham still receives an average of only one train every two hours despite significant population growth, while over 30,000 people living around Devizes remain without direct rail access despite railway lines passing close by.
I argued that if the Government is serious about economic growth, sustainable transport and reducing congestion, then rural counties like Wiltshire must not be left behind.
That means improving services, supporting plans for Devizes Gateway Station, delivering more frequent local rail connections and ensuring that market towns can benefit from the opportunities that rail can bring.
Rail investment should not be reserved solely for major cities. Rural communities deserve modern, reliable and frequent public transport too.
🚤 Out and About in Devizes
Last weekend I spent time in Devizes celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
It was wonderful to meet representatives from the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust and learn more about the work taking place to preserve and enhance this remarkable waterway.
One of the most valuable discussions of the day was around the importance of viewing the canal as a whole, rather than simply through the lens of individual constituencies. The canal connects communities from Bristol to Reading and supports wildlife, tourism, local businesses and countless opportunities for recreation.
It is a vital part of what makes Wiltshire so special.
While in Devizes I also visited the Devizes Arts Festival, where I saw a fascinating exhibition showcasing artwork produced by prisoners from HMP Erlestoke.
It was both moving and inspiring to see the talent on display and a powerful reminder of the positive role that creativity can play in rehabilitation and helping people build a better future.
🏛️ Keeping Up to Date With My Work
If you would like to follow my work in Parliament more closely, you can view all of my speeches, questions, debates and contributions online.
You can find my full parliamentary record here: https://members.parliament.uk/member/5214/contributions
This includes everything from speeches in the House of Commons to written questions submitted to Ministers on behalf of local residents.
📬 Staying in Touch
As always, thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter.
If there is an issue affecting you, your family or your community, please do get in touch. Hearing directly from residents helps shape the work I do both locally and in Parliament.
Best wishes,
Brian Mathew MP
Member of Parliament for Melksham and Devizes