Trudy's Whitehaven News column from December 28, 2022:
I’d like to start by wishing all readers of The Whitehaven News a merry Christmas and happy new year.
As 2022 draws to a close, a number of milestone decisions have been taken over recent weeks that will have a significant impact on Copeland.
As covered in pages of The Whitehaven News and by media across the UK and throughout the world, on December 8, Michael Gove – the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities – awarded planning permission for West Cumbria Mining’s Woodhouse Colliery, bringing to a conclusion a lengthy and thorough planning process.
I have consistently made the case for Woodhouse Colliery. Coking coal is a critical raw material which will be required for the European steel industry for decades.
Woodhouse Colliery will be the cleanest, greenest method of extracting coking coal. Blissfully ignorant continuation of the present situation – supporting awful working conditions, worse environmental standards for which we have no control and thousands of miles of fossil fuelled rail, road and ocean transportation – is war grade hypocrisy.
Every part of our plan for a green industrial revolution needs steel, most of the world's steel production needs coking coal.
That's the reality – Woodhouse Colliery is a solution for the medium term and is part of the transition. And the independent Planning Inspectorate agrees.
In the same week as the mine decision, I had the privilege of joining Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell to formally open the £18.5 million Skirting and Whangs Beck Flood Risk Management Scheme in Egremont.
I have suffered flooding in my family home in the past, so I know first-hand how devastating the impact can be. The residents of Egremont have lived for decades with the fear of flooding hanging over them every time it rains, which makes this milestone scheme – which reduces the risk of flooding to 220 properties – incredibly welcome.
Furthermore, the project - involving pupils at West Lakes Academy – has included the planting of 600 trees to provide an enhanced environment for wildlife to thrive.
I’d like to thank the Environment Agency and all the partners who have worked so hard for the benefit of the community to bring this project to fruition.
As we enter 2023, I look forward to continue bringing you news and views in The Whitehaven News throughout the year.
Myself and my team in Bootle are always pleased to hear from constituents and, if you have any issues or questions, we will help in any way we can. Please contact me on [email protected] or 01229 718333.
