Rail junction upgrades amongst priorities for East of England, says report
It's part of calls for investment in transport across the region
It's hoped more commitment to funding towards major transport schemes in the East of England will be met by the new Government.
The East of England Local Government Association (EELGA) is calling for improvements to the likes of rail junctions, such as in Ely in Cambridgeshire and Haughley in Suffolk, in a new report.
More money had been promised by ministers to improve the junctions, but this has so far not been received.
Last year, £6.5 billion from the axed HS2 high-speed rail line was earmarked for the two junctions, which if improved would allow more freight and passenger services to pass through these areas.
In May, now Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said funding for the two schemes would not be forgotten if there was a change in power.
'Significant pinch points'
Andy Mallen is from the EELGA:
"There are some significant pinch points, the Haughley junction, the area around Ely which have long required funding; it would take freight off the road, increase the potential for passenger traffic on the rail which is much more sustainable than road transport."
In its report, the EELGA says it wants the following measures to help improve access to public transport:
- Confirm commitment to major transport schemes such as East-West Rail and Ely and Haughley rail junction improvements.
- Extension of Bus Service Improvement Plan/new funding to support bus networks, particularly in rural areas.
- Simpler, longer-term funding mechanisms to facilitate stable regional transport investment pipelines.
- Increase maintenance budgets to support necessary repairs to our road and rail networks.
Support for proposed Water Bill
Mr Mallen hopes a proposed law to hold private water company bosses personally liable for lawbreaking, as well as giving water regulators more powers to ban bonuses, can help tackle pollution in our region's waterways.
In its report, the EELGA wants "urgent action at a national level to reduce water pollution, both directly with providers and ensuring sufficient resourcing for regulators".
The group also wants central Government to support long-term projects, such as the Fens Reservoir.
"There's a massive problem, people are paying their bills and they want to see their water treated properly; I hope this Bill will see some significant change come about because it's absolutely needed," Mr Mallen said.
The EELGA also wants to see action taken on climate change, including more investment in the likes of flood defences.
"I think this is beyond a regional or local thing, we need the Government to step up and make sure they are protecting vulnerable communities," Mr Mallen added.