I recently held a well-attended public event with the City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, to give local residents from in and around the Woodgate area a say over proposals to develop Leicester’s Waterside.

People voiced their frustration at having to live with old industrial buildings that have been left vacant and derelict, especially around the A50. These blight neighbourhoods, encourage crime and antisocial behaviour and form a bad impression for people visiting the city.

When I was first elected, my office was on Frog Island, so I know the area very well. I’ve campaigned hard for the investment needed ever since and am pleased that the City Mayor has now made it a top priority, earmarking £26.5 million to kick start development.”