Over the past few days we have seen the weather change rapidly from heavy snow showers to amber rain alerts for Bassetlaw.
The memories of the recent floods in November 2019 are still in our minds and many are still recovering from the damage, as well as the double-whammy of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Storm Christoph provides a reminder of what the last heavy rainfall did to both people’s homes and businesses, not just in Worksop and Retford, but across Bassetlaw.
I have been monitoring the situation, as well as keeping in close contact with both the environment agency and Nottinghamshire County Council to ensure that preparations are in place to meet the occasion should the need arise.
Over the past year, I have had meetings with the various stakeholders who are involved in keeping our area safe.
This week alone, I have had a meeting with the floods minister to discuss our situation here in Bassetlaw as we face the current challenges.
I have also been discussing which measures can be taken to future-proof our communities against the threat of flooding.
But flooding hasn’t been the only important issue to surface this week.
Our local high street is set to see yet another closure, with HSBC officially announcing it is closing its Worksop branch.
That is why I have taken it upon myself to write to Ian Stuart, chief executive of HSBC, to set out the concerns of constituents from Worksop who have contacted me over this decision.
This could mean those wishing to make use of branch facilities in Worksop having to go to Retford or possibly Sheffield.
Although I have been informed that this decision has been made on the basis of consumer demand going online, it is important to ensure that those who do not make use of the internet in the same way as the majority of us do are not left behind and without the ability to access important financial services.
Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to our NHS staff and volunteers who have helped to get our vaccination programme up and running in Bassetlaw.
We started vaccinating our most vulnerable back in December and we have seen hubs open at Larwood Surgery and Newgate Practice in Worksop, as well as Retford Hospital.
Larwood Health Partnership have already vaccinated more than 3,000 of the most at-risk patients.
All patients will be contacted for an appointment when it is their turn, so please be patient and do not contact your surgery if you haven’t heard anything yet, as they will be in touch very soon.
