Like many, I was pleased to hear the announcement of £15 million investment supporting the ‘Better Queensway’ Development in Southend from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The investment comes from the Housing Infrastructure Fund, which was set up to help ensure the right infrastructure is in place at the right time to unlock high quality new homes.
I lobbied the Government extensively for Southend to receive funding for this project.
The Better Queensway project aims to build approximately 1,300 homes, crucially including a minimum of 441 affordable housing units. Part of the project also involves infrastructure works to reconnect communities separated by the Queensway Road and improve access to the town centre, providing a boost to the local economy. I’d like to thank everyone involved in the bid for their hard work.
Last week, I visited Shoebury High School. On my visit, I was fortunate to meet and sit in with a group of Year 7 pupils from the Academically More Able (AMA) pathway, which includes those students who join the school through a selective place.
On this occasion the students were benefitting from a half-day workshop called ‘Energy Quest’ through the Tomorrow’s Engineers Programme. The workshop encourages students to appreciate the importance of science and engineering in the modern world through hands-on activities and discussion, addressing the issues of dwindling energy resources and climate change.
I was also very impressed with the work being done on the school grounds. A lot of work is being put in to ensure that the students have the best environment to excel in their studies.
I would like to thank all the staff at Shoebury High School for all the work they are doing with these children.