The Prime Minister provides reassurance around investment in local bus services
I welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement that HS2 would go ahead, as I believe HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail are important elements of our plan to level up our local economy.
There’s no doubt that our Victorian railways transformed the lives of ordinary people by bringing them opportunity and aspiration through the efficient linking of town and countryside. The Victorians were ambitious, and they understood that public transport is not just about getting people from A to B; but that good transport connects people with well-paid jobs, training and education, hospital appointments and shops.
But it's 2020 - and time to say thank you to the Victorians for their railways and now build our own transport infrastructure, so that we can, once again, be ambitious for our country.
It is important that any investment ensures that benefits are seen in communities, such as Penistone and Stocksbridge, and the whole of the South Yorkshire region, not just in our big cities. And this is why I am campaigning with the Don Valley Railway Group to see a Stocksbridge to Sheffield passenger train line reinstated, and with Thurgoland Parish Council Public Transport Working Group, to secure better rural bus services.
I also welcome the Prime Minister's decision, to review ‘Phase 2b’ to be certain that any impact on our region is well understood and any negative impact on local people mitigated. We now need to get on with local transport infrastructure projects – particularly in those projects that are business-case ready. The £5bn investment in bus services across the country is of local interest and so I took the opportunity to ask the Prime Minister to reassure me that the planned investment in buses would benefit not only our big cities, but our rural areas too.
The Prime Minister responded:
"Absolutely right - and that is indeed the point of the investment in buses.- because everyone knows, from talking to constituents, that a decent reliable bus route can be transformative of your life. and for the prospects of your kids - so we'll be doing it across the country."
You can read the Prime Minister's full statement here.
You can read the advice of the independent Oakervee Review into HS2 here.
