I’ve heard from many of you this week about yet another period of significant travel disruption caused by lane closures on the M48 Severn Bridge. Unfortunately, details of these works were not made available to me or published for the public in advance. I know how important it is for people to have clear, advance notice so they can plan their journeys accordingly. It’s not good enough that this information was missing from the National Highways website, something they have si

As many of you will know, the A40 will be closed in both directions overnight on Monday 19 October, from 8pm until 6am on Tuesday morning, between Over Roundabout and Highnam Roundabout. This is to allow the contraflow to switch to the other side of the bridge. The good news is that the bus lane into Gloucester will then be available for public transport, which should help ease some of the pressure, so that’s a welcome step forward. I’ve had further reassurances from National

It was brilliant to visit the Gloucestershire Army Cadet Force (ACF) in Cinderford last week and meet with CSM Phil Evans, SSI Ash Skerten, WO2 Elaine Locke, SI Ruby Robertson and SI Gary Mason. It was also great to speak with the young cadets and see first-hand what they are learning and the skills they are developing. It’s fantastic to see such valuable work taking place locally, giving young people the opportunity to build their confidence, learn new skills and take on new

Earlier this week, my team and I received training from the Hollie Gazzard Trust, learning more about the Hollie Guard personal safety app and how it can help people who feel unsafe. Hollie Guard is a free personal safety app that can alert chosen contacts when someone feels at risk, helping them access support when they need it. As an MP, it’s important that my team and I are equipped to support constituents experiencing domestic abuse, stalking and other forms of harassment

Today is World Mental Health Day, a chance to raise awareness of mental health and the importance of making sure people can access the support they need. Mental health affects people in all walks of life, and it’s important that we continue to encourage open conversations and look out for one another. I’ve shared a graphic with details of local mental health support services and contact numbers. Please take a look, save it for future reference, and share it with others who ma

I am once again hosting my Forest of Dean MP Christmas Card Competition! This year’s theme is: “The Forest of Hope” The Forest of Dean is a wonderful place to call home—from our beautiful forests and wildlife to the fantastic communities we’re so proud to be part of. This year, I want to see how our young artists imagine hope in the Forest of Dean, while also capturing the warmth, joy and festive spirit that makes Christmas so special. The competition is open to all Primary

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit Forest Fighting Fit Boxing and Fitness, meet the team, and see first-hand the fantastic work they are doing in our community. The energy and positivity from the kids were amazing and, most importantly, there were so many happy faces. It was particularly great to see the opportunities they are creating for young children and families, giving them a place to learn, build confidence, stay active and be part of something. I’m sure

Over the summer, Howats Chimney Sweeps Ltd got in touch with my office after a faulty part left one of their business vehicles off the road for a substantial period of time. For a small business, losing a vehicle can have a real impact — affecting the ability to carry out work, maintain income and keep the business running at the level it needs to. I’m really pleased that my team and I were able to work alongside Howats to help get the issue resolved and their van back on the

So many young people are giving up hope of ever owning their own home. 'Your First Home Scheme' will make that first step on the housing ladder possible again. This equity loan scheme will be open to first-time buyers with just a 2.5% deposit. It will provide a 20% equity loan to help first-time buyers buy a new-build home, with an initial interest-free period to ensure housing costs are affordable. Placing the dream of owning your own home within reach.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Helen, Piers, Simon, and Emma-Jayne from Forest Community Energy to discuss the work they are doing across our local communities. For practical, sustainable options for a warmer, more energy-efficient home, please attend their event on 24th October in Coleford. See the poster below for more information. Thank you to the team at Forest Community Energy for taking the time to chat with me and for sharing the progress you

Since the temporary traffic signal trial began yesterday, many of you have contacted me to express your frustrations about the significant delays and the impact on your journey times. While National Highways intended the trial to reduce delays, it is clear from your experiences that it has had the opposite effect. I am therefore pleased to confirm that National Highways has agreed to stop the trial with immediate effect. The disruption caused by these works is already having

I have been lucky enough, since becoming MP, to have spent a lot of time with young people in the Forest of Dean. Mock Parliament showcases just how talented, impressive and confident our young people are. They deserve every opportunity. And that includes technical education, too. Vocational GCSEs will sit alongside traditional GCSEs and replace existing Technical Awards, helping create pathways to A, V and T Levels, and employment, apprenticeships and university - ending the

I’ve heard from many parents who have raised concerns about additional fees young people can incur when travelling on the Newport Bus service. Because the service crosses borders, some journeys may incur additional charges. The ‘Youth All Zones’ ticket helps avoid these additional fees, regardless of where young people are travelling on the service. You can find the ticket here: https://www.newportbus.co.uk/bus.../checkout/login-request

Come Join Me for a Coffee and a Chat in LYDNEY! If you live in or near Lydney, come grab a coffee and have a chat with me I’m hosting a drop-in Coffee Morning on Friday, 16th October, 10:00 am–12:00 pm, and I want to hear what matters most to you—both locally and nationally. Sign up here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../coffee-morning-with-matt... Or contact my office at 01594 540534 or matt.bishop.mp@parliament.uk, and we’ll add you manually. For clarity: Specific venue det

In the week before schools returned, my office received emails from a number of concerned parents regarding transport arrangements for their children. Parents had received notification that their children’s bus arrangements were due to end immediately, leaving them with only a few days to arrange alternative transport. My team and I worked closely and quickly with the relevant stakeholders to resolve the issue. I am pleased that all affected young people had their transport a

Since the contraflow was implemented on the A40, I have heard from many of you about the huge amounts of traffic you are sitting in when leaving Gloucester. I have been relaying this to National Highways, and I am pleased that today they said they are looking to deploy temporary traffic lights on the Over roundabout at peak times to ease the heavy traffic you are all experiencing when leaving Gloucester. I will continue to engage with National Highways while they monitor the

Last night saw the launch of my Women and Girls’ Health Campaign in the Forest of Dean. Bringing women and girls from across the Forest together for an open and honest conversation about their experiences of healthcare. We heard powerful stories about maternity care, menopause, endometriosis, misdiagnosis, feeling unheard, difficulties accessing specialist services and much more. Thank you to everyone who came along and shared their experiences, and to the gynaecologists who

I’m pleased to confirm that a Gloucestershire Consultant Gynaecologist will be joining me this Thursday for my Women and Girls’ Health Campaign event. She has a wide range of experience and interest in women’s health issues, ranging from gynaecological issues affecting children to period problems, pelvic pain, prolapse, urinary incontinence and menopausal symptoms. We’ll be listening to women and girls across the Forest of Dean about their experiences of healthcare — what’s w

Great news for the Forest of Dean - from this autumn, you'll be able to get on-the-spot treatment for migraines, acne, ear infections, rhinitis and scabies at participating local pharmacies. No GP appointment needed. This builds on Pharmacy First, which has already delivered 14 million consultations across England since 2024. It means quicker, easier care closer to home - and it helps take pressure off GPs and A&E this winter. Pharmacies across the Forest are already part of