The Isle of Wight Council has now confirmed it has reached agreement with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) which will allow the council to make improvements on the prison estates.

Since my election in 2017, I have worked with residents to lobby the Ministry of Justice as the estates had deteriorated for over twenty years. For example, in some roads, no streetlights work and there are bad potholes in many roads and pavements.

We had made some progress ourselves in lobbying the MOJ. For example, a number of streetlights were repaired and replaced last year.

So I am very pleased that discussions between the Ministry of Justice and the council has led to this agreement as, hopefully, it will take things to a new level.

Residents will be keen to hear from the council as to which roads and areas are affected. I hope the council will be able to do that speedily, but I recognise that they may still have to do some work to confirm the details.

Residents will also want the details of how they will be involved and play a full part in the council’s decision-making about the improvements that can be made, in particular getting streetlighting that works across the estates.

Although the council is likely to undertake some work urgently, they say it may take up to two years to complete everything.

If I’m re-elected as ward councillor on 6th May, my promise is that I will work hard to ensure that the council keeps to its commitments so that we can get the best result possible from this agreement.

• The council has created a dedicated email address for residents to make contact ParkhurstEnquiries@iow.gov.uk and, of course, residents are welcome to copy me in as their ward councillor.