Stuart Anderson MP seeks “urgent clarification” on local transport funding
Stuart Anderson MP is seeking “urgent clarification” on the future of funding for local transport projects promised for Shropshire. The last government had promised to provide Shropshire Council with a £136.44 million allocation from a new £4.7 billion Local Transport Fund for smaller cities, towns, and rural areas.
The allocation had been made possible through funding redirected from HS2 as part of Network North and provided the first transport budget of its kind for smaller cities, towns, and rural areas like South Shropshire. The funding was for the infrastructure local communities want: from new and safer roads to new mass transit systems, more electric vehicle charge-points or refurbished bus and train stations, to filling in potholes.
With a new government in place, Stuart had been seeking assurances that the funding would be fully provided and within the same time period of seven years. The answer to a written question tabled in Parliament by Stuart says the plans will be “examined closely… in the coming months.” Stuart has said that he is “very concerned” about the development, putting into doubt if and by when the funding will reach his constituents in South Shropshire.
Stuart has now written directly to the Secretary of State, seeking “urgent clarification” that the funding will be fully provided and within the same time period. Stuart added that it is the latest episode in a series, indicating that the government is not focused on places outside city-regions and does not understand the needs of rural places like South Shropshire, which face extra challenges due to remoteness.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“After the last government diverted HS2 funding to other local transport projects, I campaigned very hard to secure a fair share for our area, South Shropshire. I was thrilled that we managed to secure £136.44 million. With a new government in place, I tabled a formal written question in Parliament seeking assurances that this will be fully funded. The answer is non-committal, only saying that the plans will be examined closely in the coming months. This is a very concerning development, and I have now written to the Secretary of State to ask for urgent clarification on whether this funding will reach us in South Shropshire.”
