Moor Farm and Seaton Burn can help ‘government achieve growth and housing missions’

Emma Foody, Labour and Co-operative MP for Cramlington and Killingworth, has set out how changes to how infrastructure investment is assessed can bring forward vital road improvements for Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle.

Welcoming the changes to the Green Book – how infrastructure projects are assessed – Ms Foody urged Ministers to use Moor Farm and Seaton Burn roundabouts as test cases for the new assessments to show how these can support growth and housing development.

The MP has long campaigned for investment in the vital pieces of infrastructure, leading a debate in Parliament and meeting with Ministers. The scheme remains under consideration as part of the government’s Road Investment Strategy.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Emma Foody MP said

“The government’s changes to the Green Book to Place-Based business cases are really positive for regions like mine in the North East.

“Can the Minister set out how the Cabinet Office will support cross-departmental work on identifying test cases, such as Moor Farm and Seaton Burn roundabouts, where the current infrastructure is holding back growth and housing, to help the government achieve our growth and housing missions?”

Responding to the question, Pat McFadden MP, Chancellor of the Dutchy of Lancaster said:

“Let me say my honourable friend is a brilliant champion for her community. It’s precisely because this government does want to support growth in communities like hers, that the Chancellor has set out, that the new Green Book will support place-based business cases. Rapid work is happening to deliver this over the coming months.”

Speaking after the debate Emma Foody MP said:

“Moor Farm and Seaton Burn cause misery with the current congestion and over-capacity impacting on local people and businesses.

“This government wants to see growth, housing and deliver change for working people, and improving Moor Farm and Seaton Burn can help deliver that, and show how the new Green Book and Place-Based Business assessments will benefit people here in the North East”.