East Midlands Transport Funding Questioned Amid Budget Uncertainty

A significant selling point during the inaugural election for a regional mayor in the East Midlands this year, encompassing Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, was the prospect of substantial investment in transport infrastructure. The preceding government pledged that the mayor would receive £1.5 billion for enhancing connectivity, funds derived from the cancellation of the HS2 high-speed rail project north of Birmingham. Ministers had previously indicated this sum could finance an extension of Nottingham’s tram system and upgrade bus routes connecting Derby and East Midlands Parkway. However, uncertainty now surrounds whether any of this funding will actually be delivered. Claire Ward of Labour, who won the May election, was expected to oversee the allocation of these funds. Yet, in an interview with the BBC last week, she expressed doubt about the money’s arrival. She stated, “The reality is the new government has come in. It’s realised many of those commitments made by the last government were simply built on sand. They just didn’t exist.” Ward emphasized that, irrespective of the outcome, transport funding would be available from the guaranteed “day-to-day” allocation the new combined authority receives, amounting to £38 million annually. When directly questioned about the potential for the distinct £1.5 billion transport investment fund to be reduced in the forthcoming Budget, Ward responded: “I don’t know, but I have always said all the way through my election, I would believe it when the money hit the bank account.” Consistent with pre-Budget periods, government departments are largely refraining from confirming or denying information. Nevertheless, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh announced a review of transport projects in July. At that time, she commented, “Communities up and down the country have been given hope for new transport infrastructure, with no plans or funds to deliver them. This government will not make that mistake.” Concerns also exist that particular projects within the region might be cancelled. Initiatives to upgrade the A614 and A6097 in Nottinghamshire have been under development for years, with the Department for Transport expected to allocate funding. Ben Bradley, the Conservative leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, stated that final confirmation was “a matter of days” away when the general election was announced, leading the council to erect signs along the route indicating the work was “coming soon.” He added, “We’re already now four or five months behind our schedule in terms of starting that work.” Bradley further commented, “Truth be told, if we don’t get some confirmation in the Budget heading into winter when our highways challenges increase with the weather anyway, it’s going to be very, very difficult to get that started.” He concluded, “Obviously if we don’t get the money at all, it won’t happen.” A prevailing theory suggests the government might transfer the responsibility for funding these projects to the East Midlands mayor. Under this circumstance, the mayor would retain the £1.5 billion transport fund but would need to determine if a portion should be used to cover projects previously slated for direct funding by the Department for Transport. Bradley indicated that issues along the route represented “a massive constraint on the economy” and were impeding housebuilding in the locality. For instance, a site at the former Thoresby Colliery currently holds planning permission for 800 residences, with potential for up to 1,200, yet a planning constraint permits only approximately half to be constructed without upgrades to adjacent roads. Ed Catchpole, regional director for the Harworth Group, the site’s developers, expressed his hope for confirmation in the Budget that the work could proceed. He stated, “We need to make sure there is sufficient capacity in the local highway network.” He added, “Ollerton Roundabout is a particular pinchpoint and has needed upgrading for a number of years.” Catchpole further remarked that funding should have been supplied regardless of the governing party. He asserted, “Brownfield regeneration of this nature spans political cycles and as such, public funding for critical infrastructure to underpin these sites should be ringfenced and allocated for the long-term.” Although an elected mayor was never seen as a definitive solution to the region’s infrastructure challenges, there was an expectation that they could contribute to reversing a pattern of underinvestment. Historically, the region has consistently ranked lowest nationwide for public spending per capita, frequently fostering a perception that the area has been neglected. The government has previously disclosed intentions for a distinct investment zone within the East Midlands. However, plans differ from execution, a point often made by council and business leaders. Ultimately, funding remains paramount. For updates, follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Story ideas can be sent to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 0808 100 2210. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.