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   This article appeared in The Diss Express on 3 March 2006

School digs in for big future

South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon brings Diss Express readers up to date with news of some of his recent work for the community
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I was delighted to launch officially the new multi-million pound building work at Long Stratton High School recently.

I joined students teachers, governors and the building company, Bluestone, together with a spectacular mechanical digger, to kick start the new project, which is long overdue.

The school has been in a bad state for many years and the staff have done a great job in motivating students despite poor surroundings. The school’s recently awarded specialist status for mathematics and computing from September 2006 is well deserved.
 

The new building work includes 20 new classrooms, a performing arts centre, much improved ICT facilities, a new technology block, and a vastly expanded library.

Local residents will also benefit from new computer classes in the evenings.
DIGGING TO HELP SCHOOL:
Long Stratton High School students
help Richard Bacon MP to officially
 launch the school’s new building work

Long Stratton High School now has a real opportunity to catch up with other high schools in South Norfolk.

Dental Decay

The growing difficulty in finding an NHS dentist in Diss and Long Stratton is causing great concern to many people. Most dentists are closing their books to new NHS patients because they fear being out of pocket when new NHS contracts are introduced on 1 April.

At present, dentists are paid for each treatment they carry out. Under the new contract they will be paid a monthly amount by the Primary Care Trust.

Dental practices are therefore finding it hard to recruit dentists who will do NHS work. Some patients in Diss have to travel 10 miles to East Harling for NHS treatment.

I have written to health minister Rosie Winterton asking for funding to be made available for dentists to take on NHS work.

Rail Delays

I usually enjoy travelling by train from Parliament to South Norfolk. It is more relaxing than driving on the motorway and it gives me chance to catch up with some work. But it looks like the gremlins are still with us. My latest journey was hit by an unexplained “technical problem” causing a half hour delay. The return journey included a cancellation and the delayed arrival of the next train.

I usually enjoy travelling by train from Parliament to South Norfolk. It is more relaxing than driving on the motorway and it gives me chance to catch up with some work. But it looks like the gremlins are still with us. My latest journey was hit by an unexplained “technical problem” causing a half hour delay. The return journey included a cancellation and the delayed arrival of the next train.

Last August, I met with One Railway to discuss their faulty second-hand trains and the problems passengers faced. I was assured these were temporary problems, that the new rolling stock would soon be with us, and that punctuality is of prime importance.

I have now asked the managing director of One Railway what has gone wrong.

▪ Need to see your MP? You can make an appointment to see Richard by calling 01379 642769.
 

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© Richard Bacon 2008