Last week I held talks with the Chief Executive of South West Water’s parent company Pennon in Westminster.

The sweeping changes brought in under the Environment Act are already taking effect and look set to make the most ambitious changes to have taken place under any government before, particularly on sewage and water quality.

But I am determined to get more done, and one of the reasons I called on the Chief Executive was to urge them to reinstate Church Beach in Lyme Regis back to bathing water quality, which I know will make such a difference to the town.

In Westminster, The Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Bill passed its Committee Stage on the morning of the 8th March. When passed, this will ban the advertising and sale of tourist experiences abroad which are conducted in such a way that involves the low welfare treatment of animals. This could include elephant rides, swimming with dolphins and photoshoots with animals such as the big cats. I was delighted to support the Bill last week and continue my campaign against animal cruelty.

On Wednesday this week, the Chancellor will deliver his budget and, I hope, set out to continue our steady course towards economic recovery that he has already steered us so diligently towards. I will write more on this next week.

In Mosterton last month, a devastating crash claimed the life of a much-loved local resident, has left a young woman in intensive care and a family in unspeakable pain and grief.

On Friday last week, I met with the Parish Council, Dorset Police, Cllr Rebecca Knox and the Road Safety Manager of Dorset Council for a discussion about the road safety issues in the village. This incident has been a great shock and huge sadness to the whole village and I would like to assure residents that I am doing all I can to work with local council and residents to ensure the community is afforded the mitigations and protection it needs.

CHRIS LODER

WEST DORSET MP