Fair play demand over road spending

Apr 12 2006 By Ross Smith, The Journal

The North last night demanded equal treatment from the Government after Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman announced a multi-million pound investment in roads in the South.

The Government is spending £200m on infrastructure around parts of the East and South-East where a large expansion in houses is predicted.

Mr Ladyman yesterday championed the scheme, saying: "Sustainable communities need good transport links."

But the announcement came only 24 hours after Highways Agency boss John Bagley said North-East workers should consider car sharing to ease congestion on our roads.

And Mr Ladyman himself has described controversy over developments in the North-East being held up because of the poor road network as an "awful lot of fuss".

Calls to upgrade the A1 around Tyneside have been turned down because ministers believe widening the road would increase traffic, rather than reduce congestion.

Significantly, one of the projects backed yesterday is a new road in Corby, Northamptonshire, designed "to support development and ease traffic congestion".

The area has, like the North-East, raised concerns about the use of Article 14 notices to stop approval of developments close to major roads.

Mr Ladyman has so far failed to answer an invitation to the North-East by leaders of the Go For Jobs campaign to see the effect of such notices on North-East business. But announcing the investment for the East and South-East yesterday, he said: "Sustainable communities need good transport links. These schemes will open up access to around 10,000 new homes.

"Road improvements will ease congestion in and around Northampton, meaning quicker and more convenient journeys."

The minister was last night challenged to make a similar announcement in the North.

North-East Chamber of Commerce policy director Andrew Sugden said: "I'm delighted to hear that's what he believes.

"We would certainly agree that sustainable communities need good transport links.

"We're now looking forward to similar announcements for the North-East."

Blaydon MP Dave Anderson said: "I agree entirely with what he's saying - so please apply that to the North-East. Without this sort of help, things will only get worse."

A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: "The Community Infrastructure Fund is a dedicated fund specifically to support housing development in the growth areas. However, the Government is committed to the regeneration and growth in all regions.

"In Tyne and Wear alone, local transport block funding has gone up by 73% in real terms over the last five years - increasing from £16.5m in 2000/01 to £31.4m in 2005/06

"This investment is leading to real improvements - the extension of the Tyne and Wear Metro to Sunderland, the Durham Park & Ride and the South Stockton Link Road are a few examples.

"The Highways Agency are currently developing proposals for improvements to the A1 through Newcastle, in liaison with the Tyne and Wear Authorities, who were asked to consider demand management measures to help alleviate congestion. This work is continuing."

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