"WHILE I was unable to attend myself, I do hope as many residents as possible who have an interest were able last weekend to go along and examine plans for the vital Redditch Gateway project," writes Redditch MP Karen Lumley

The proposed £85m industrial development is sited east of the town at the junction of the A4032 and A435 and close to Ravensbank Business Park. This significant project could see the creation of up to 2,500 jobs and almost one million square feet of new office and industrial space within 75 acres.

This is a development which I am 100 per cent supporting. It will provide jobs and the potential for a huge cash injection into the local economy. Although it has been a long time coming, I have been holding meetings about the Eastern Gateway with developers Stoford and the planners in Redditch, Bromsgrove and Stratford for some considerable time. In talking to my Business Leaders’ forum in Redditch I am only too aware that the availability of industrial land in and around Redditch has been a huge problem in recent years and in some cases has been known to stunt the growth of successful local businesses.

The public exhibition took place last weekend, but plans won’t be submitted until later this year and I urge residents to get involved.

Last Wednesday, October 19, a group of 20 of my business leaders attended a lunch event at the House of Commons, and listened to a short speech by Margot James MP, Minister of State for Small Businesses. They were able to raise issues directly with her and talk about their experiences of doing business in the West Midlands, and so the event provided an excellent opportunity for them to talk straight to a Government Minister.

I am at home presently recovering from my operation. I am able to respond to my e-mails and other correspondence, though I don’t anticipate attending Parliament or any other meetings until at least the end of November. Although on the mend, I do feel tired easily and want to give myself the best chance of a full recovery.

As ever, to keep up to date with what I am doing, visit tellkaren.com/ or follow facebook.com/Karen4RedditchCounty or mobile.twitter.com/tell_karen.