Me

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I was born and educated in Kingston, my parents live in Somerset.

I am a Christian and have sung in the choir of Kingston Parish Church for over 25 years.

I have been married to Charlotte since 1990 and we have four children: Emily, Jemima, Cameron and Martha.

Until 5 years ago I ran an international textile company, but I am now Chief Executive of a national disability charity and a not-for-profit community and public services organisation.

My two interests are music and politics (but not musical politics). I have sung regularly for a very long time and in some ways regret not being brave enough to try it as a career.

This blog will give you an insight into my policy views as well as giving you the opportunity to tell me what you think. I also blog, most days, about issues that might be of interest to you. Participate if you want to.

You can see an album of pictures by clicking here.

Responses

I am interested in your quote re Stonehenge. Having been a Public Inquiry Inspector for 23 years following 31 years in the army, I think I know a little about the econmics of bypasses; I conducted the first Newbury Bypass Inquiry. I could not have done the Stonehenge Inquiry because I know too many interested parties in the area, but apart from that I strongly disagreed with the tunnel proposals. There was even a tunnel proposed for Newbury on the line of the A34. The cost of a tunnel could never have been cost effective being hugely negative in terms of COBA with on going maintenance over the years and diversions whilst that happened. One day the powers that be might realise that an on line cutting and dualling is all that is required. A cutting of sufficient depth would be invisible from the stones and the wonderful view of them from Amesbury would not be denied to the motorist. My job as an Inspector was to apply common sense to extreme engineering views, regrettably no one has yet done this for Stonehenge!

Thank you for your letter introducing yourself. Unlike Cameron you addressed me correctly. His staff do not seem able to achieve this, so they do not get any more money from me! I have a postal vote. I would be happy to put up a poster and deliver within Loveridge Lane.

Michael Davies

Thanks Michael.

In fact I was never totally convinced of the economics of the tunnel and yet the Government has been pursuing this as ‘the’ option for a considerable time - ten years and £23m on the development of the scheme. Now, here we are, with no solution available for relieving the view for Stonehenge/Amesbury and no prospect of anything being done for probably another ten years.

A sorry state of affairs.

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