Many of us took advantage of the wonderful weather last weekend, which included the joyous occasion of the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at Windsor, to whom I wish every happiness in their future together.

On Sunday the sun continued to shine in Swindon where I was delighted to once again open Hooper’s Field Sports Open Day in Wanborough alongside ward Borough Councillor Gary Sumner. Thanks are due to the local bowls, tennis and football clubs for their hard work and to the parish council too.

Last week was Mental Health Awareness Week, during which I was pleased to give my support amongst other things to Royal Mail in their commitment to the mental wellbeing of the 1,049 South Swindon employees under their care.

Tackling mental health is a priority and I am glad that the government has legislated to treat it with the same importance as physical health. I welcome the government’s greater investment in mental health services, with 1400 more people now accessing mental health services every day compared to 2010, and future plans to increase the number of Mental Health professionals in the NHS by 21,000.

Having been in touch with many local residents of Upham Road in Old Walcot over many years regarding the deteriorating condition of the concrete slabs that underlay the road surface, causing subsidence and traffic vibration, on Thursday I went to a public consultation at Immanuel Church to look at plans to rebuild the road itself. The council will now be undertaking a full and partial reconstruction of the road between Drove Road and Brixham Avenue.

My work with residents resulted in some short term repairs, but a more fundamental solution is necessary. Efforts have been made following discussions with the Highways Department at SBC to ensure residents in the area are affected as little as possible during the works.

Work on the construction will begin in the middle of June and as a way of minimising disruption for residents, the bus gate to Queens Drive will not be in operation during the works, meaning that residents will be able to drive in and out of Upham Road via Queens Drive.

Double yellow lines in the vicinity will also be suspended during the works to make up for some lost parking spaces. Blue badge holders should contact the Council ahead of the works for further information and advice.

Local residents can contact my office if they would like to raise any further questions or issues that they may have regarding the reconstruction works.

Finally, I welcome the news that the unemployment rate in Britain remains at a 40-year low, with youth unemployment having fallen by over 40% since 2010. Locally, this means that 10,800 more people are in work across Swindon since 2010.

Local small businesses are playing a vital part in our growth, which is why I was delighted to attend the opening of the new premises in Victoria Road, Old Town, of Payslip Accountants on Sunday afternoon.

The new premises has been improved and repaired, and I hope that we can see further changes and improvements along this important route between Old Town and the town centre, adding to initiatives such as the restoration and conversion of the Grade II listed Technical School building into new flats, which is a great example of what we can do when it comes to preserving our heritage.