MP John Grogan has said jobs will be the key issue in Selby District in the coming year.

This Christmas and New Year are Mr Grogan’s last as the local MP, as he is to step down at the next General Election.

But although the area has been dealt some major blows over the past year or two when it comes to employment, Mr Grogan is hopeful 2010 will see several major contracts signed and job opportunities appearing.

Mr Grogan said: “I am very hopeful that before this winter is out new deals will be signed to bring jobs and investment on the industrial sites previously occupied by Clariant and Tate & Lyle in Selby town. A decision is also expected by the spring as to whether Hitachi will be coming to the old Gascoigne Wood mine site, near Sherburn-in-Elmet, to assemble a new generation of trains.

“Whatever the outcome this site is set to become a major centre of employment in the future.

“A number of big construction projects erecting major new public buildings will also feature in the next 12 months. Selby College’s new Jubilee Building will be finished by January and by the autumn the redevelopment of the site will be complete. Meanwhile, the University of York’s development of the Heslington East site will continue apace. In Selby itself the spring should see the beginning of work on the new Selby Hospital and Civic Centre on a site adjacent to the existing War Memorial Hospital.”

Mr Grogan also said he hoped 2010 would see further flood prevention measures in place in surrounding villages. He added: “The calling of the General Election will signal the end of the existing Selby Parliamentary Constituency which since 1983 has covered Selby district and the villages to the south of York. Selby district will join villages to the north of Tadcaster in Harrogate district to form the new constituency of Selby and Ainsty.

“It has been the pride and honour of my life to have followed the late Michael Alison in serving as Selby’s MP since 1997. I would like to wish all constituents a happy and peaceful New Year.”