HAVING written about education and the NHS over the last two weeks, I want to use my final column before the election to highlight three other key issues that I would focus on if elected as the next MP for Wyre Forest.

Transport

It is obvious to everyone in Wyre Forest that the current transport system is grinding to a halt under the ever-increasing demands being placed upon it. Our road network is insufficient and incomplete. Bottlenecks on the roads into Stourport, Kidderminster and Bewdley mean that at peak times people are wasting their time and polluting our environment whilst stuck in traffic jams.

When it comes to public transport the situation is just as bad. The Conservatives' deregulation of our buses and their botched privatisation of our railways has created a public transport system where private operators "cherry pick" the most profitable services and dump others that are much needed by local communities.

We need urgent action right across the board to improve our transport system. Labour has doubled spending on transport since it came to power, but Wyre Forest now needs an MP who is interested in this vital issue and who will take action to make sure we see the improvements.

If elected I will lobby for the resources to build the relief road in Stourport and, unlike the Tory county council, I will make it my number one priority rather than number four as they have it.

Crime and anti-social behaviour

This week has seen the release of yet another set of police statistics showing the continuing fall in overall crime in this country. We have also seen some considerable progress locally in tackling some of the most serious crimes, such as burglary which fell by a staggering 17 per cent last year in Wyre Forest.

But I recognise that there is more to do in order to create a decent, civil society. Tackling low-level crime, like vandalism and graffiti, as well as anti-social behaviour, will be priorities for me if I am elected.

Labour has introduced tough new anti-social behaviour legislation to tackle persistent offenders, but we must do more to tackle this problem.

At the moment I believe Wyre Forest is being short-changed by the police authority when it comes to Community Support Officers. If elected, I will demand we get our share of the officers so that we can have a greater uniformed presence on our streets. I will also support the work of our neighbourhood wardens who are already making a difference on many of our estates.

Extra support for pensioners

The £200 Winter Fuel Allowance, Pension Credit, free TV licences for over 75s and the £200 Council Tax refund are all examples of Labour's continuing commitment to providing pensioners with a decent standard of living in retirement.

If elected, I will make it my mission to continue to find ways to improve the lot of pensioners so that they can enjoy a long and financially secure retirement.

Vote Labour on May 5 to continue moving Wyre Forest forward.