MP's street market call

Telford MP David Wright today called for the return of traditional markets to help bring borough streets back to life and promised to champion the cause.

Mr Wright, who described himself as a proud Oakengates "lad", said he would love to see market stalls in the centre of his home town.

And he promised to champion the cause of markets at a select committee hearing in Parliament this afternoon.

He told a 200-strong audience at Oakengates Theatre today for a meeting of Telford & Wrekin Senior Citizens' Forum: "There are good markets in Telford and struggling markets."

Wellington market, he said, was a real success story but the few stalls remaining in Oakengates were a pale shadow of what used to be.

"I'm going back to London this afternoon for a select committee inquiry into how we can promote better markets," he said.

"Oakengates used to have a strong and vibrant market and its town partnership and Telford & Wrekin Council need to work together to bring stalls back here."

Lively market stalls would attract shoppers into centres such as Oakengates, Dawley and Madeley and give local economies a much needed boost, he said.

Meanwhile, the forum, which is open to residents aged 55 and over, was thanked by Councillor Andrew Eade, borough council leader, for its input in the budget-making process. He added: "This was a genuine consultation, we had more than 400 replies and made substantial changes to our spending plans as a result."

He also said the council would be announcing a considerable investment to tackle the crumbling state of roads and pavements.