'We won't slash transport funding' vow
CRITICAL transport schemes like the Kingskerswell bypass would not be hit by spending cuts under a Conservative government, top Tory Ken Clarke (right) has vowed.
Warning of the dangers of slashing 'real investment', the Shadow Business Secretary said it had been a mistake in the past to cut funding to capital schemes.
-
He said having proper transport links would be essential to the recovery of South Devon and the rest of the region.
But he said there would have to be an increased reliance on private money to fund schemes.
It comes as the debate between the politicians over future spending cuts to get the nation's finances back on track continues to hot up in the run-up to the General Election.
The long-awaited link road in South Devon is 'critical' to the area's economy, with the £120million scheme among the top priorities identified by the county council.
The Government has provisionally approved £108million funding for the project which aims to ease traffic congestion which is seen as a major bottleneck between Torbay and the rest of the nation.
There is now broad recognition of the need to secure final ministerial approval before the next General Election.
Funding also has to be found locally to contribute towards the scheme.
An added sense of urgency has been sparked by the Department for Transport issuing a health warning that the economic downturn and financial uncertainty means it is uncertain whether funding for schemes will be available in the longer term.
When quizzed on the prospect of future cutbacks for transport schemes, officials would only say current spending commitments extended to 2011.
But speaking to the Herald Express, Mr Clarke said: "When controlling public sector spending and borrowing we will seek to ensure we don't jeopardise key infrastructure projects.
"Historically, the easiest thing to cut has always been capital programmes. People get less annoyed if you cancel the future than if you cancel the past.
"But we are all too well aware it is dangerous to cancel real investment, including investment in infrastructure, at times like this.
"Having the proper infrastructure is going be essential to the South West taking part in the recovery."
But he added: "It will have to be private sector financed not just public sector financed in future."
A DfT spokesman said: "The department's capital expenditure over the next three years was announced in the Budget.
"In the longer term any future budgets will be defined in the next Comprehensive Spending Round period."
This runs from 2011.
11 Comments
View all
by Willie, Somewhere
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 10:49PM
“Ruth not sure what you are talking about. I can find no article...perhaps you could help?”
by Ruth Pentney, Paignton
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 10:11PM
“Willie
I refer you to the visit by Chris Grayling in Feb 2009 as reported in the Herald Express at that time.”
by Mosschops, Paignton
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 8:21PM
“Paul, I agree that there are other things that could be tried. I can't understand why a flyover wasn't built in the first place. However, I don't agree that the road is only busy at rushhour, you can go along there at any time of the day and it is like a car park, the only time it is quiet is in the evening. There constantly seems to be accidents, beacuse there are too many turnings on and off the road. Widening of St Marychurch Road and providing a link to Kerswell gardens would be a cheaper and less damaging option. However, I still think the road will eventually get built.”
by Paul Williams, Torquay
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 6:15PM
“This by pass / ring road is not needed. This road is only busy at rush hour times and summer Saturdays The answer to this problem is very simple. Firstly build a flyover at Penn Inn, and secondly replace the lights at Jury's Corner with a mini roundabout. (A pedestrian footbridge to replace the controlled crossing) Those are the two places that hold up the traffic. These changes could be made relatively easily. If it works then millions of pounds will have been saved, and acres of Devon countryside. If that doesn't work, then the new road could be built.
It doesn't have to be a new road or nothing else.”
by Stan, Torbay
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 4:16PM
“If one day the bypass gets built our elected leaders will have to find another excuse for the woes of the bay.
Even with this road we will never attract jobs that rely on distribution,
Up and down the country towns have boosted employment by attracting businesses that don't use the public highway but use the internet or telephone systems.
On-line banking, call centres, government offices and many other IT based companies all looking for places to re-locate.
It must be regarded as a sad failure of our local govenment when the main reason we need a new road is to get people out of the area to work.”
by Don, Teignmouth
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 3:27PM
“If one reads the items attributed to Mr. Clarke in quotation marks, none of them refers to the by-pass by name as a critical project that as a key infrastructure project.
His interview (as reported) contains no more than the general, non-commital pre-election statements that one would expect from any media-savvy politician.”
by ANGELA, Paignton
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 1:57PM
“I have to disagree with you Nellie. There are no decent jobs in the bay - thats why we have to commute to Exeter. No doubt you are one of the retired brigade who want everything to stay as it is!
We desperately need this bypass to be built, not just for the people of Torbay but also for holidaymakers and new business. I would love to work in Torbay but no jobs with wages big enough to pay rent and bills.
I get sick and tired of the Kingskerswell Alliance - I know a good solution - turn off all the traffic lights on the main road, allow no one to turn into the main road from kingskerswell - this will solve the problem. If you love Kingskerswell so much you can stay put and not every leave the place!”
by Mosschops, Paignton
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 1:34PM
“Firstly, how is Kingskerswell quiet, with hundreds of cars trundling through it everyday? Secondly, people travel to Exeter because there are no decent jobs in Torbay, due to the fact that no one can get to it due to the car park known as Kingskerswell. I am one of the lucky ones who does work in Torbay. Thirdly, this is not just a Teignbridge matter as one end of the route is within Torbay's boundaries, and the roads are maintained by Devon county coucil, who fully support the plan. That said, I do think there are alternative feasable road improvements, but I do think that this road will eventually get built.”
by Willie, Somewhere Else
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 1:26PM
“Ruth really...another of your made up statements that make no sense.
This is a Teignbridge matter, Torbay councillors have no say in it.
Also the Stonehenge project that this was being compared to is under way already.
Face it mate you Councillors have messed up Torbay over the past years....and I know that Bye is to blame for most of it but you other councillors are doing nothing to help.”
by Nellie Edmonds, Kingskerswell
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 1:08PM
“It is NOT a bypass it is a LINK road which is going to rip the heart out of the quiet village of Kingskerswell.
£150million misspent purely for those on the Exeter commuter run just to knock a few minutes off their journey.
If you want to work in Exeter then move closer to it!!
You clearly don't support Torbay otherwise you'd work there!!”