NEWS: Oxford Times, Oxford Mail February 20, 2020
John Howell MP 'anticipates' Oxford to Cambridge Expressway will be scrapped
The Oxford Times front page, page 2 reports “THE Expressway between Oxford and Cambridge will likely be scrapped in the budget announcement at the start of March, according to an Oxfordshire MP. John Howell, Conservative MP for Henley, said he thought an announcement on the future of the major new road would be made on March 11 as the government set out its spending commitments for 2020/21. Mr Howell said: “This was announced way back in the election campaign that it was being reviewed, and my understanding is that we will have an announcement in the budget.”
These reports are also covered in the Oxford Mail, Bicester Advertiser and all other associated local papers within Oxfordshire.
The Oxford Times continues Milton Keynes MP Iain Stewart “appointed as the government’s champion of East-West links between Oxford and Cambridge, told a public meeting in his constituency on Friday, February 7, that the new road network would likely be scrapped. “
“Labour MP for Cambridge Daniel Zeichner, was recently told by the Prime Minister in parliament to expect an announcement on the future of the road come the budget. Mr Zeichner described it as a ‘20th-century road-building solution to a 21st-century challenge’, and asked whether the PM would confirm it had been scrapped. Mr Johnson’s reply was: “I must ask the honourable gentleman to wait and contain his impatience until the budget, when he will learn more about the national infrastructure plan.““
The Oxford Times goes on to report Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth as saying that “if the Expressway were scrapped it would not have a knock-on effect for the Oxford to Cambridge Arc plan. This is a separate government project to the Expressway which could see 1 million new homes built in the counties between the two cities, to support tech and science businesses in the region.”
The article goes on “As rumours of the Expressway being scrapped began to circulate, Oxford's two MPs said a firm announcement on its future was needed.
“Layla Moran, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said: "Rumours that the Expressway will be cancelled are no substitute for a formal announcement from the Government. Despite promising a ‘review’ during the General Election, when they realised just how unpopular their plans were, the Conservatives have refused to give any more details of when a decision will be made."
“Anneliese Dodds, Labour MP for Oxford East said: "I share my constituents’ concerns about the Expressway. We need a firm commitment that it is off the table -- so far, all government has committed to is a ‘review’. We need investment in sustainable modes of travel, and any new homes to be genuinely affordable - and I will continue to campaign for these locally and nationally."
Lastly, the article reports on NEG’s events in Westminster on 26th February. Find out more here.
You can read the full article here in the Oxford Mail.
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