Emma takes case for Moor Farm investment to the Chancellor
Emma has urged the Chancellor to back long-overdue improvements to the Moor Farm roundabout, warning that the current situation is holding back growth and causing daily misery for local people. Emma raised the issue in Parliament, highlighting her ongoing campaign to unlock investment in the critical piece of infrastructure.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Emma said:
“I have been campaigning for improvements to the Moor Farm roundabout, which is currently holding back growth across the north-east and causing misery to local people on a daily basis.
“The Government have rightly taken steps to ensure that my region gets its fair share of investment through changes to the Green Book and place-based business cases, but will the Chancellor meet me ahead of the road investment strategy to ensure that we finally get this long overdue investment in a critical piece of north-east infrastructure?”
Responding, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, said:
“My hon. Friend has been a tireless campaigner for the Moor Farm roundabout, which holds back both commuters and businesses, and therefore both growth and prosperity. I will continue to work with her on this. I know that the roundabout is now being properly considered for inclusion in the road investment strategy and I would be happy to meet her to discuss that further.”
Following the exchange, Emma added:
“For too long the formulas Government use to make decisions on investment have meant the odds have been stacked against us. Local people and businesses know all too well the impact that congestion at Moor Farm roundabout has on their daily lives and on the wider economy of the north-east.
“This is a vital piece of infrastructure, and it is encouraging to hear that it with changes the Government has made to the Green Book mean that it is now being properly considered as part of the road investment strategy.
“I welcome the Chancellor’s commitment to meet with me, and I will continue pushing to ensure we finally see the investment our area deserves.”