As Marge Simpson is listed in the New Year's Honours list, (Oh yes she is :-)) the forgotten hero of the Borough, Bilboa 'Baggins' Bob, the most infamous absent MP Robert Goodwill has been wrapping up 2015 bagging himself a few bars and banners:

Bless, he even found time to get a quick letter of to the Gruff as he boldy goes about his brass hunt:

"SIR – The case for HS2 is clear. It will support growth across the country by improving connectivity, freeing up space on our crowded rail network and generating thousands of jobs. In addition to the key interchange stations at Old Oak Common, Crewe and an East Midlands Hub, connections on to the existing West and East Coast Main Lines will allow HS2 trains to serve destinations on the existing rail network across the North and on to Scotland. We know how much the project will cost: the recent Spending Review confirmed the budget for HS2 is £55.7 billion, in 2015 prices. It is crucial we press ahead with delivering HS2 on time and within the budget.

Robert Goodwill MP (Con)
Minister of State for Transport" 

Goose : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/12065125/Letters-An-additiona... bumps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7tOq9aD63U

As many search & rescue teams across Yorkshire have been kept busy, bobbing up and down in Yorkshire's greatest Duck pond,  Bilboa managed to bag one of his own, albeit, boldly across the border: http://www.airport-technology.com/news/newsnew-search-and-rescue-helicop...

"UK State Transport Minister Robert Goodwill has officially launched a £7m civilian coastguard search and rescue (SAR) helicopter base at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Scotland. The SAR base is part of the £1.9bn, ten-year contract offered to Bristow Helicopters by the UK Department for Transport in 2013.  The base will carry out SAR operations, which was previously the responsibility of the Royal Navy.  The base serves as a home to two Sikorsky S92 aircraft, of which one will be dispatched soon to handle emergencies.  Robert Goodwill said: "The new Prestwick Search and Rescue base will provide a vital emergency rescue service at sea, in coastal areas and inland throughout Scotland and the UK." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y84nk36p-zs

Back on his British bike, Bob was found Cycling : "Following meetings with the transport minister and Chris Boardman’s ‘Tour of Copenhagen’, where Robert Goodwill MP said he was inspired to “re-double our efforts”, hopes were high for what the Comprehensive Spending Review would deliver for cycling investment. Despite the Chancellor referencing the government’s commitment to cycling, very little new money was announced. The £300 million mentioned in his speech is mostly money previously announced by Nick Clegg MP back in 2014 and has already been allocated to just eight cities and Highways England.

We had hoped for a lot more but this is not, in itself a barrier to progress. Ultimately it is the responsibility of the Department for Transport to fund the cycling investment strategy not the Chancellor, however yesterday’s publication ‘Setting the first cycling and walking investment’ gives little indication of where it would come from.  The #ChooseCycling campaign is about getting government to accommodate cycling into its transport strategy and not treat it as a charity. This means that it should be integral to what the Department for Transport does day to day, like roads, rail and aviation, and that cycling should benefit from sustained investment."

Gander: https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/campaigning/article/20151223-campaigni...

At 30/12/15 Bob's commercial activities were noted "Yet another reshuffle at the Dft has seen local roads and traffic minister Robert Goodwill step away from road transport.  Under the move, Goodwill’s responsibilities for local roads and traffic will be taken on by freight and logistics minister Andrew Jones, with Lord Ahmed of Wimbledon retaining responsibilities for road agencies (not Highways England).  Goodwill, as minister for state, is now responsible for aviation, maritime, high-speed rail and cycling."

Bilboa manages to bag in Burton, is that a dummy? Nope, tis Middle Earth : "IMPROVING transport links to speed up journey times across the Midlands could boost the regional economy by more than £1 billion a year, create 300,000 additional jobs and save businesses nearly £500 million, it has been revealed. These figures were published at the newly strengthened Midlands Connect Partnership, which has been charged with developing a Midlands-wide transport strategy to drive the regional economy.  The partnership, which includes more than 40 public and private organisations, has been pressing for better road, rail and freight links. It believes better connectivity is 'vital' for the Midlands to fulfil its growth potential and maximise the significant economic benefits offered by the forthcoming HS2 high speed rail line.

Signatories to the strategy include Transport Under-Secretary of State Robert Goodwill, HS2 Ltd chairman Sir David Higgins, Midlands Connect co-chairs Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council and Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council Peter Richardson, chairman of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (representing Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire), David Frost chairman of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Philip Atkins leader of Staffordshire County Council, Anne Western leader of Derbyshire County Council and Martin Hill leader of Lincolnshire County Council.

Mr Goodwill said: "In addition to the massive investment the Government is making in our transport infrastructure, we want to help regions across the country to make their voices heard on how their transport networks are run. "We know that good transport doesn't just help people get around, it helps them get on and these are key components of our long term economic plan to boost jobs and growth. "I congratulate the Midlands Connect Partnership on getting the Midlands Engine for Growth in motion and starting work on this vital strategy."   http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Plans-showcase-bid-bolster-rail-schemes-Midl...

Closer to home, Bilbo bags another 14mil investment "Newcastle International Airport new £14m departure lounge will boost the Northern Powerhouse, according to a government minister. Transport minister Robert Goodwill cut the ribbon on the new facility today which will cater for passengers on both domestic and international flights. It is the latest boost for the North’s second biggest airport, which handled over 4.5 million passengers last year and contributes an estimated £646m a year to the regional economy.  Mr Goodwill praised the “massive impact” the airport has had on the North East.

He said: “The Northern Powerhouse is the whole of the North, and the North East is a vital part of that. We have seen with the investment from Nissan and from Hitachi that serious investment is coming here. “Business people in the North East can get all around the world from this airport, including Dubai, New York and Heathrow. Newcastle International Airport can be the springboard, bringing jobs and prosperity to the region.  “Newcastle Airport is a shining example of how our regional airports lead the way with their service and range of destinations. The new departure lounge underlines Newcastle Airport’s importance as an engine of growth for the north-east and the Northern Powerhouse. We are committed to supporting regional airports in their ambitions, with £20m funding for new domestic and international routes across the UK.”

In November 2015, the government announced that a new flight connecting Newcastle Airport and Norwich would be one of the new domestic and international routes receiving a portion of a £7m investment through the Regional Air Connectivity Fund.  The flights will begin in 2016."

Grouse: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/newcastle-internatio...

Norwich the new  Northern Poorhouse?  Bilboa offs to Norwich ...   "The new flights from the north will offer fast journey times to Belfast, Dublin and Southend, and there will be new services between Newcastle and Norwich, and Leeds-Bradford airport and Newquay. Robert Goodwill said: “Carlisle, Newcastle and Leeds-Bradford airports are vital engines for the Northern economy, connecting the UK and creating opportunities. That is why the UK Government backs new air routes in this region, with our investment benefiting hardworking people across the country.”  Newquays, Brooms:  http://www.bqlive.co.uk/2015/12/03/new-air-routes-for-carlisle,-newcastl...

Nil by mouth,  Plymouth? "A MINISTER has said the findings of a Government study into the future of the former Plymouth City Airport site will be published in the New Year. Aviation Minister Robert Goodwill has written a letter to long-lease holder Sutton Harbour Holdings plc's chief executive Jason Schofield revealing the timing. Mr Goodwill said he had instructed Department for Transport officials to undertake a detailed review of previous studies into the viability of the airport. Once complete, the review's findings will be peer-reviewed by an independent external assessor, with the final review published in the new year."

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Government-report-Plymouth-airport-publi...

Ah, so 'an independent external assessor' peer reviewed, I hear humming, the drums, nope, drones ... where theres a Whip theres a way ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdXQJS3Yv0Y

"The use of drones by members of the public could soon be monitored by the Government. The Department for Transport has confirmed it is “currently looking at a range of options including regulation, registration and licensing” measures relating to the leisure use of drones. Mark Pritchard asked in a written parliamentary question to the Department for Transport if it will introduce regulations to monitor the sale of drones for private and commercial use. In a written response Transport Minister and Scarborough and Whitby MP Robert Goodwill said: “The Civil Aviation Authority keeps a record of all the permissions they have issued to fly commercial drones in UK airspace. “However, this does not extend to leisure users of drones. “To address this, the Department for Transport is currently looking at a range of options including regulation, registration and licensing options and a database to increase transparency on the use of drones for the general public.”

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/mp-hints-at-restrictions-on-the-use-...

Drones ... Bob's been busy brassing about. Wotever next? A Bobbin Brassierie?  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbPukudDACI

Oh, OK faretheewell 'spock' & 2015 ; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Ar79f8aN8

Hmmm ... decisions decisions ... ;-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ07JyztEIU

HNY 'Bob' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5MwScwGass