Need for facts not rhetoric

Ged Taylor writes another letter (Echo September 1) long on rhetoric, but typically short on fact.

Ged writes: “Chris Grayling, the Transport Minister said if the North East wants to upgrade its transportation systems the councils will have to fund it through local taxation.”

Ged goes on to claim that taxpayer’s money for upgrading of transport is going to be spent down south. He is 100% wrong. This is what the minister said and how it was reported.

Firstly on the BBC, Mr Grayling said while one of his “biggest priorities” was to build transport links in the North, it was down to the region to design and manage them.

He wrote: “It is central government’s responsibility to provide funding and a delivery structure that ensures efficiency, value for money and accountability. “But, beyond this, I want the North to take control.”

Then in Infrastructure Intelligence, Mr Grayling said: “I began taking steps to put Transport for the North (TfN) on a statutory footing. “Instead of ministers and civil servants in Whitehall deciding what’s best for the north, I want TfN and other northern leaders to come forward with fully costed proposals to improve journeys for transport users and provide value for taxpayers,.”

He went on to repeat that “it is central government’s responsibility to provide funding and a delivery structure.” He added that: “the government were fully committed to transport investment in the north, including Northern Powerhouse Rail.”

I respect that as a committed socialist Ged feels the need to attack the Government but let us have a reasoned debate. Alan Wright, High Barnes.