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Latest Campaigns
We use this page to help keep everyone up-to-date with some of the activities in the constituency, in particular, some of the important campaigns.

At the moment, we now have a new important campaign to help youngsters in Knottingley.


 
Cas Tigers Success!
Yvette Cooper opening the new deaf and hearing impaired base and new reception at Castleford High School.
Yvette with Richard Wright and Councillors Mark Burns-Williamson, Denise Jeffrey and Peter Box at the proposed site
(click photo to enlarge)

I was delighted by the planning committee’s decision to grant planning permission for the new stadium at Glasshoughton.

It’s a fantastic result and after a lot of campaigning I’m glad that finally the problems were resolved so that the stadium could get the go-ahead.

I then met with Richard Wright and Councillors Mark Burns-Williamson, Denise Jeffrey and Peter Box at the site to discuss the next steps forward to get the funding for the stadium in place.

 

 

 
Pontefract Transport Summit
 

I have joined with Councillor Trevor Izon to call on the Council to hold a Transport Summit to deal with the growing problems in Pontefract.

We are concerned that the town faces increasing problems such as the Town End lights, and the need for better rail and bus services, and want a major summit for local people to put forward their views.

Wakefield Council has agreed to draw up a new transport plan for the town to respond to growing concerns. But Trevor and I want to make sure local people get to put forward their own ideas about how the town’s transport problems need to be improved.

Things like the Town End lights have been a long term headache for Pontefract. We should also have much better rail services for a town this size, for example a direct rail link to London could bring in tourism and jobs. And I think it’s vital we get a station upgrade for Monkhill to make it easier for people to travel by train. Now that the Council are drawing up a transport plan for the town I want to make sure local people can have a say on what the priorities and solutions should be.

For more details contact my office or email me at coopery@parliament.uk

 


Yvette and Councillor Trevor Izon at Town End lights, Pontefract

 
Updates on Campaigns

Victory in campaign for a new sign for Pontefract
I’m really pleased at the Highways Agency’s decision to erect permanent signs to Pontefract and Castleford on the new stretch of southbound A1 following my campaign alongside local residents. The Highways Agency initially erected temporary signs, but after more pressure and a consultation, they have now replaced them with permanent signs. See original article...


Castleford Post Office campaign
Thanks to all of you who signed the petition to retain full postal services in Castleford town centre. The Post Office agreed that Castleford should not lose its service and the new branch on Sykes Street opened on 22 May 2006. I campaigned with Castleford Councillors and over 1200 local residents to maintain full postal services and it’s really good news that the Post Office listened to our case and found a new site and sub-post master to run the service. See original article...

 
Better Play Spaces for Knottingley Kids Campaign
 
 
We all know how important it is for our kids to have high quality, safe places to play near home. But unlike some other parts of the district, Knottingley’s playgrounds and parks have not received enough investment or attention over the years to bring them up to a good enough standard.
Wakefield Council has a special team to help local groups develop plans and raise funds for playgrounds and open spaces. But if there is not a local group to work with, they cannot help.
So I am asking you to support my campaign for better play spaces for Knottingley. I would really like to hear people’s ideas about what is needed and which play spaces we should be focusing on.

To join the campaign, please send your name, address, phone number and email address if you have one to my office at:
1 York Street, Castleford WF10 1JS
Or email me at: coopery@parliament.uk

Right: Yvette and Cllr Pat Doyle in one of the Knottingley playgrounds that needs refurbishing
 


 
Don’t miss out on your Veteran’s Badge

 
       

Yvette is campaigning to make sure that all veterans in Pontefract, Knottingley and Castleford receive the newly extended Veterans Badge. The Veteran Badges are being issued by the Ministry of Defence to everyone enlisted before December 31 1994 and honour the enormous contribution made by veterans in the last century.
   
 

Yvette Cooper MP hosted two award ceremonies to present over 80 local veterans their Veteran’s Lapel Badges. The services took place at St Giles’ Church in Pontefract and Castleford Parish Church in front of hundreds of friends and family. Many thanks to Rev Bob Cooper and Rev Stan Bindoff for their help and support in organising the events.

Presenting the badges, Yvette Cooper said: "Everyone was looking forward to the ceremonies but I think they were even more special than we had expected. I was delighted to present badges to all of these brave men and women, especially in front of so many proud friends and family."

Photo below shows the Pontefract Veterans award ceremony which took place on 20 January at the Church of St Giles in Pontefract with Yvette Cooper MP and Rev Bob Cooper.
 

Picture courtesy of the Pontefract and Castleford Express

 

 

 

  
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Yvette Cooper MP
Constituency Office: 1 York Street | CASTLEFORD | WF10 1JS
Tel 01977 553388 | e-mail:coopery@parliament.uk