Jobs drive praised in Commons

Nov 21 2007 by William Green, The Journal

MORE than a dozen North MPs have praised the successful Go for Jobs campaign in Parliament.

Fifteen MPs have already signed up to the Early Day Motion that congratulates the North-East Chamber of Commerce, The Journal, local politicians and all those involved in the campaign.

The praise comes after a battle between the North-East and the Highways Agency, with The Journal revealing in 2005 how blocks were put on developments thought to increase traffic on congested parts of the A1 and A19.

Highways chiefs were using powers known as Article 14 orders to prevent new homes and businesses along busy roads – and the Chamber of Commerce joined with the newspaper to campaign against the notices. But now none of the notices issued since the campaign started remains, and the agency faces losing its controversial powers under a shake-up ordered by ministers.

The Commons motion also thanks transport ministers who listened to the campaign and acted to bring about the end to restrictions on economic growth in the region caused by Article 14 orders.

But it also stresses that more action is needed to drive forward the North-East’s excellent economic progress over the past decade, saying it “will only be sustained and improved with a clear and comprehensive plan for the improvement of the region’s major road and transport infrastructure”.

Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland, who put down the motion, said: “I think it was a worthwhile campaign and certainly had success in terms of article 14 notices and it demonstrated clearly what the region working together can achieve.”