Stephen Williams MP calls for Bristol's fair share of transport cash
July 14, 2006 12:11 PM
Stephen Williams MP and local resident Joanna Prescott at Sea Mills station on the Severn Beach line
Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West, Stephen Williams, has called on the government to increase transport funding for Bristol, in line with the investment already being made to improve transport infrastructure in London.
Mr Williams has signed a parliamentary petition which demands the government use next year's spending review to redress the balance between transport spending in the capital and other major UK cities.
Stephen said "London already gets more money per head than any other region of England for all kinds of things, yet the appalling traffic jams in Bristol every day rival anything seen in the capital. I welcome the recent announcement on funding for 'showcase' bus routes but we desperately need investment in our urban railways, to ensure that Bristol remains economically competitive, as well as a pleasant place to live."
"When Labour pulled the plug on our chance at a Bristol tram they gave us nothing in return. We have been suffering from that decision ever since and it's about time that the government took congestion outside London seriously."
In addition, Mr Williams is keen to see more local decision making when it comes to transport management. He said "As well as the extra money, we need the power to spend it in the way that best suits Bristol. The fact that such a major city as ours has virtually no control over its own bus network, for example, is an absolute disgrace."
"The system is designed to fail," he added.
Stephen has signed Early Day Motion No.2500, the full text of which reads:
That this House notes the Government's achievement in the last comprehensive spending review in working with the Mayor to agree a £10 billion, five year investment programme for Transport for London; further notes the consequent success in driving up public transport usage in London and contributing to key Government objectives on sustainability and social inclusion; and now calls on the Government to use the opportunity presented by the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 to raise significantly the level of spending on public transport in the UK's other metropolitan areas in order to support their continuing and sustainable economic regeneration, and to address the gap in spending per head on transport that has now opened up between London and the UK's other major conurbations.
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats
-
Help out or donate
-
Tell us what you think