'Parking nightmare' and potholes in the constituency that could vote Labour for the first time in decades

With just days to go until the General Election, people in Rushcliffe are gearing up to head to the polls and elect a new government. As part of our 5000 Voices Project, we’re visiting constituencies across the East Midlands to ask people about their concerns and what they think about their local area.

Rushcliffe was last won by Labour in 1966 - potentially an omen for England football fans - but since then the Conservatives, and Ken Clarke, have dominated, even in 1997 when Labour secured a big majority under Tony Blair.

The polls point to a close contest this year, so we spent the day in West Bridgford and Bingham talking to people about the issues that matter to them. Many people spoke about parking, potholes and empty shops, key themes on our travels during the campaign.

Linda, 70, said: “Parking is a nightmare in Bingham. Nobody seems to do anything about it. There are potholes everywhere. Where I live there’s a split in the road because people cannot get around without getting their tyres in it.”

Liz Canton, who lives in Keyworth, said: “All the restaurants are chains and we don’t seem to have shops or restaurants but it gets very busy here and the parking is absolutely impossible.”

Brian, 78, from West Bridgford, said: “Homelessness is an issue here, but homeless people cannot get a home because they cannot afford a deposit or a flat. It’s an endless cycle.”

He added: “Shoplifting here is terrible. It’s the worst I’ve ever known.”

Pensioner John Green, who was visiting West Bridgford, said: “There used to be a lot of good shops here but now it's just banks, food shops and hairdressers. There used to be a grocers you could go to but you cannot do that now.”

Michael Lunt, 65, from Bingham, said; “Parking on the main side of the road is an issue. Sometimes cars are coming the other way and making it difficult for buses to get around.”

We also asked people if there’s anything they’d a newly elected MP to improve. While many gave a few suggestions, most were largely happy with the area overall.

Linda, 70, from Bingham, said: “They need to improve the parking here and build another car park.”

Michael Lunt, 65, from Bingham, said: “We’re trying to get cars off the road but there are no buses at night. There are also problems getting through Bingham. We need to make it easier to get through to the area.”

Liz Canton added: “Everything needs to be more affordable including the rates on the shops. They’ve got to start making parking free – that would help businesses here.”

The General Election takes place on Thursday July 4 and voting is between 7am and 10pm. The candidates standing in the Rushcliffe constituency are listed below:

• Ruth Edwards for the Conservative Party

• James Grice for Reform UK

• Lynn Irving as an Independent

• Richard Mallender for the Green Party

• James Naish for Labour

• Harbant Sehra as an Independent

• Greg Webb for the Liberal Democrats