Backbench disquiet as axe hangs over 'vital' transport schemes

THE coalition Government is facing its first signs of unease among its own backbenchers over spending cuts after its announcement that a raft of the region's transport schemes are at risk of being delayed or axed.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jun 2010, 10:38 BST
Updated 15th Jun 2010, 11:13 BST

One senior Tory backbencher is seeking an urgent meeting with Ministers to urge them to approve a "vital" bypass in the region, while several other MPs are vowing to continue pressing the case for other schemes – including trolleybuses in Leeds and a park and ride scheme - which had got initial approval under Labour.

Business leaders also expressed "frustration" that important projects had been cast into doubt and warned Ministers against falling into the trap of cutting schemes which would threaten the economy's chances of returning to growth.

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The concern follows last week's announcement by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond that all transport projects not already under contract – including a host of vital schemes in the region – are being placed on hold until after this autumn's spending review.

Schemes affected include 235m for trolleybuses in Leeds, various road improvements including a by-pass for Beverley, extra vehicles for Sheffield supertram and a park and ride extension in York.

Graham Stuart, Tory MP for Beverley and Holderness and chairman of the Commons education select committee, said he was "disappointed" that the southern Beverley relief road scheme had been put on hold and vowed to take it up with Ministers "as a matter of urgency".

He understood the need to rebuild the economy after 13 years of Labour overspending but "we must not forget there are some items on the shopping list which are vital – the bypass is one of those."

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Other coalition MPs are also pledging to press the case for schemes in their constituencies. Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West, said: "I'll be lobbying strongly to make sure we don't lose out."

Stuart Andrew, Tory MP for Pudsey, accepted trolleybuses should be part of the review of schemes, but pledged to make a strong case for investment in Leeds", while York Outer's Julian Sturdy vowed to press for the city's park and ride improvements.

Businesses want seeking a meeting with Mr Hammond. Nick Pontone, policy director of Yorkshire and Humber Chambers of Commerce, said it was frustrating that vital schemes were being thrown into doubt although it was understandable the Government wanted to examine spending decisions to get a grip on the deficit.

"Cutting schemes today risks reducing growth tomorrow – this is a trap the Spending Review must avoid."

Related topics:LeedsLabour