Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce has written to the new Transport Secretary asking for clarity over whether the proposed roll out of millions of pounds in funding to support the county’s transport network will happen.
Louise Haigh MP has also been asked to outline her transport priorities and meet with the Chamber’s network of businesses to discuss these and other commitments to road, rail, bus and electric vehicle infrastructure.
The move comes following the Labour Government’s announcement to make cuts to a number of, what it calls, “unfunded” transport projects to help stem a budget “black hole”.
This follows the previous, Conservative, government announcing the award of an estimated £4.7 billion of funding for local authorities to deliver specific transport projects.
It is understood that around £286 million of this had been earmarked for Staffordshire County Council and £134 million for Stoke-on-Trent City Council in the wake of HS2 Phase 2 being cancelled last October.
The letter, co-signed by Chamber CEO Rachel Laver and Chair of the Chamber’s Transport Forum, Mike Herbert, says: “In the light of [the announcement], we would welcome clarity from you around the future rollout of funding to support and develop our transport network, here in Staffordshire.
“The announcement suggests that Restoring your Railways programme is effectively cancelled, which ends any aspirations to re-open the Leek to Stoke railway or indeed the opening of other new rail stations (such as Meir).”
The letter also states: “Transport is seen as key enabler for business, moving people and goods across our region.
“We recently published our Staffordshire Chambers’ of Commerce Business Manifesto and the importance of transport was recognised as one of five key themes, Connected Staffordshire.”
A copy of the Chamber’s Executive Summary of its recently developed Transport Strategy – which illustrates its transport priorities in the Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire region – is attached to the letter.
The letter concludes: “Our priorities focus on road, rail, bus and electric vehicle infrastructure.
“We’re keen to work with you on our priorities, many of which align with our manifesto to help support businesses across Staffordshire.
“In the first instance, we would welcome a response from you regarding these transport priorities and would like to invite you to meet with our network of businesses to discuss these, as well as other transport commitments you will be looking to deliver in your role as Secretary of State for Transport.”
