“Moor Farm is a blocker to growth. It is a block to opportunity” – Emma Foody MP leads debate on Moor Farm roundabout
The urgent need to address issues at Moor Farm roundabout was debated in Parliament today – Tuesday 18 November.
The debate was called by Emma Foody, Member of Parliament for Cramlington and Killingworth, who has been campaigning for investment in the roundabout. Ms Foody used the opportunity to highlight the impact of infrastructure like Moor Farm on development and growth across the North East.
Ms Foody emphasised how the situation at Moor Farm was hampering growth right across the North East and how investment was being withheld, or refused by National Highways, due to congestion at the roundabout. Department for Transport’s statistics show that between 2021 and 2024, there was an 87% increase in delays through the northbound A19 section of Moor Farm, and 36% increase southwards.
During the debate Ms Foody said:
“Moor Farm is a blocker to growth. It is a block to opportunity. It prevents business expansion, investment is being delayed or withdrawn. It is costing jobs and hampering growth. It is putting at risk not only existing development sites for employment and housing in Northumberland and North Tyneside, but the ability of these Councils to update their local plans and meet the housing need.’
She further highlighted that Moor Farm should have been addressed many years ago and was as much an issue for Housing, Communities and Local Government as it is for Transport.
The Minister of State for Housing and Planning responded:
“My Ministerial colleagues in the Department for Transport are of course aware of her strongly held views on the matter, not least as a result of the Westminster Hall Debate she secured on it in June, but I will ensure that the points she’s made today are drawn to their attention.”
Following the debate Ms Foody said:
“Moor Farm isn’t just an issue for our road network, it is holding back our region by delaying and denying investment in jobs and homes.
“Whilst it also causes misery to local people sat in traffic and facing delays, it is also is a piece of infrastructure that is critical to secure the growth, jobs and investment our area needs.”
“Addressing it requires a joined up approach to unleash the potential in my community and across our region
“I am pleased that the Minister recognised this work, and I continue to make the case for this crucial investment ahead of the announcement on the Road Investment Strategy in the new year. I will continue to press for these vital upgrades and following the debate have again been in touch with the Secretary of State for Transport and the Chief Executive of National Highways”.
Read the full debate – here