My call for transport investment in West Cumbria

Today the Prime Minister had the chance to lay out his vision for the country. He failed. Instead he pandered to wild conspiracy theories and dressed up cynical populism as long-term decision making.

In abandoning 15 years of cross-party consensus and promises he and every Tory PM before him has made to deliver high speed rail to the North of England he has caused untold damage to our regional economy for decades to come. HS2 was vital to free up capacity on the West Coast Main Line for passengers and businesses in Cumbria. Mismanagement of the project and constant dithering mean that billions of pounds have been wasted.

I have written to the Prime Minister to ask that he immediately commits to invest in West Cumbria’s top transport priorities to mitigate the impact this decision will have – before he changes his mind again.

The Tories have had 13 years to invest in transport in West Cumbria but on their watch we’ve had bids worth hundreds of millions of pounds for road and rail projects rejected and our bus services have been decimated. Rishi now needs to put his money where his mouth is and sign the cheque.

I want to see full funding delivered now for the Energy Coast Rail Upgrade – all £424 million we need, a significant settlement to Cumberland Council for major improvements to the A595 through West Cumbria and a substantial funding pot provided to allow us to purchase new buses and introduce new and improved bus routes connecting all our towns and villages.

Read my letter to the Prime Minister: