North East economy rests on trains, planes and automobiles

Jan 28 2010 by William Green, The Journal

Theresa Villiers, Shadow Transport Secretary

"WE know that the people in the North East face very real transport problems every day.

"Unlike Labour, we will not ignore the transport needs of the region. I believe our transport plans will have a real and positive impact on competitiveness and quality of life in the North East by improving our transport infrastructure and the way we use it.

"The Conservative Party is determined that the people of the North East get a more reliable and efficient railway. Labour’s failed approach on rail has led to sky-high fares, and two operators on the East Coast main line folding under the financial pressure from the Treasury. We would judge franchises more qualitatively, taking a broader view on what they can deliver for passengers, rather than just focusing exclusively on higher and higher fares. We will also open up the funding available for upgrades like longer platforms and station improvements, currently carried out by Network Rail, to local authorities and other operators who have a better idea of which projects matter most to local people in the North East.

"We want to see an end of Labour’s approach which sees almost every detail of the railways decided by bureaucrats in London because we want local people in the North East to have a greater say over their railways.

"We have promised to start the process of building a high speed rail network for the United Kingdom, with a line connecting London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds as the first phase, continuing on to Newcastle and Scotland as the second. People making everyday journeys in the North East are frustrated by an increasing amount of driver hassle.

"Under a Conservative government we would introduce measures to help local authorities and local people tackle this hassle and the congestion it causes, by cracking down on irresponsible road works and by reining back on Labour’s epidemic of new traffic lights.

"We want to improve road safety by ending Labour’s ‘one-club-golfer’ reliance on fixed speed cameras. We would not fund any new fixed speed cameras from central government and would require local authorities to use more effective, alternative measures to encourage safe and responsible driving."

Highway pledge

TRANSPORT bosses have promised changes to one of the region’s busiest roads will benefit thousands of motorists.

The Highways Agency has said it wants to introduce a 50mph limit on the A1 Western Bypass in both direction from Birtley to the Blaydon Bridge.

A Highways Agency spokesman said "The agency is proposing to introduce a 50mph speed limit on the A1 Gateshead Western Bypass. Evidence has shown that a reduced speed limit would improve traffic flow and journey time reliability.

"Minimising the ‘stop/start’ situations currently experienced on the road will also help to reduce the number of accidents and delays caused by them."

Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland has warned the changes will lead to highways bosses introducing three narrower lanes in an attempt to avoid "costly" plans to widen the road.