Treasury Minister says North-East transport links 'not a priority'

Date: 27/3/2013

Treasury Minister Ed Twiddy has said that improving transport links in the North-East is not a Government priority.

Mr Twiddy is working as part of the Government-backed partnership tasked with creating jobs in the region, and claimed that the existing transport structure is capable of dealing with demand among commuters.

Speaking at a Budget event hosted by think tank IPPR North, the Minister said: "Do we really have an infrastructure deficit [in the North-East]?

"Well, in some areas we need investment but compared to a journey on the London Underground, journeys on the Metro are wonderful, let me tell you."

According to Mr Twiddy, the Government will be prioritising spending and investment in other areas, and he argued that plans to channel 80 per cent of transport funding to areas south of Nottingham are justified.

"[The North-East doesn't] have the kind of infrastructure deficit that a world city such as London has," he added.

Posted by Sarah Bailey

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