Better connectivity

It is my priority to ensure that every household has access to rapid broadband and a choice of excellent transport options by:

  • Campaigning for better bus routes. I have already secured £2.6 million for improvements to existing bus services and I successfully campaigned for a new bus route from Newbury up the A34 via Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.
  • Building on my recent work to get Gigabit broadband delivered to the RG20, RG17, RG14 and RG7 postcodes, I will continue to bring coverage to the remaining blackspots. Since I was elected, full fibre broadband coverage across West Berkshire has doubled. 
  • Securing flexible season tickets on trains – to reflect the fact that many people will be working from home more in the future and will want their travel costs to reflect this;
  • Working with Highways England on their 5-year plan to improve safety on the A34 north of Newbury.
  • Continuing to support local rail users and users groups to ensure the best service possible.
  • Campaigning for a bridge over the railway line in Thatcham due to the delays caused by the level crossing.

News

Laura's success on morning commuter service!

Last Friday (2 June) GWR contacted Laura to confirm that they would be making changes to the 0745 service from Newbury (0736 from Hungerford) to Reading and London Paddington which has been suffering from overcrowding following timetable changes. 

Laura asks for Government action on GWR services

At Business Questions Laura asked the Leader of the House of Commons whether she would schedule Government time for a debate on transport and connectivity through the Newbury constituency and across the wider south east.

The Chancellor delivers his Budget for Growth

The Chancellor has delivered his Budget, setting out the Government's economic priorities and policies for the forthcoming year.

In the Budget the Chancellor announced significant additional cost of living support, including:

Laura asks the Prime Minister about minimum service levels in the public sector

At Prime Minister's Questions on 18th January, Laura asked the Prime Minister whether the British public deserve to have minimum service levels across public services - as are in place across other G7 countries - and whether he agreed with the former Labour Prime Minister, Tony Blair, that "the b

Still banging the drum for buses! Laura meets Buses Minister

Laura Farris MP met with Buses Minister Richard Holden MP to continue pushing for a bus service between Newbury, Harwell and Oxford, a campaign she launched last year which has already seen West Berkshire receive £2.6 million of additional funding from the Government for buses.