We need a fairer transport settlement
I WASN’T the least bit surprised this week when the Tory Government again decided to put London ahead of the North showing once more that their priorities don’t lie with us.
They’ve managed to find tens of billions for Crossrail 2, as well as a £1 billion bung for the DUP to stay in the job.
At the same time, they’ve rather conveniently waited until the summer to announce it’s no longer their intention to fund the project to electrify the train line between Manchester and Leeds.
I’m furious as it was only two years ago that we were told that electrifying the line was “at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse”.
Imagine my surprise when, on a visit to Manchester last week, the new Transport Secretary had just about enough time to inform us that the Government has had yet another U-turn.
The only explanation given to Stockport passengers was, “We don’t need to electrify all of every route.”
Yet again this critical part of the Northern Powerhouse strategy has been paused, as it was in August 2015, the last time the Government decided that upgrading Northern rail wasn’t a priority.
I am sick and tired of public transport in our area being neglected.
Between Stockport and Stalybridge we have a train line that is served by one train a week in one direction only.
But the Government doesn’t seem to care and seems happy to let the North lag behind other centres, especially London.
How is it fair that the Government spends £680 per year, per person, for transport spend in the north west, against £1,943, per year, per person for London.
Locally, Labour authorities are investing more in linking up communities by road.
We saw this recently with the announcement by Stockport council of the new Travis Brow Link Road which will provide a direct link between the A6 and Junction 1 of the M60, but this is a drop in the ocean compared to the money that Government has cut from the area’s council budgets since 2010.
One of the biggest concerns raised consistently by my constituents is on the state of our roads, with potholes one of the biggest gripes.
The North needs greater infrastructure spending to match our potential.
It’s time the Government produce a fairer transport and infrastructure settlement for Stockport and our wider cityregion.
I won’t hold my breath this time.