Response to the Government’s Announcement on Road and Rail Scheme Funding
Will Quince, Chair of Transport East, has responded to the Government’s announcement on Road and Rail Scheme funding:
“Our partners in the East are deeply disappointed by the announcement from the Secretary of State for Transport that the essential strategic road upgrade for the A12 in Essex has been cancelled. It is a vital corridor for everyday journeys and the movement of goods serving the nationally important energy coast and supporting thousands of new homes and jobs. The announcement also did not indicate the status of the crucial rail upgrades at Ely and Haughley and we urge the Government to give the region clarity.
“The East is expected to deliver substantially against the Government’s growth agenda and provides the global connections for the North and Midlands. It powers, feeds and supplies communities across the UK and national ambitions will be held back without the right investment in our strategic road and rail networks.
We did see confirmation of funding for key local road projects on A12 East of Ipswich and for the Army & Navy package of improvements in Chelmsford. Both of these were key priorities in Transport East’s submission to the Spending Review and will support local homes and jobs growth, while also encouraging more bus, walking and cycling journeys. Whilst obviously welcome, these local schemes do not address our regional transport challenges. We will be working with partners to get answers from Government on these decisions and keep pushing for the investment the East needs.”