NEWS: Oxford Mail & In Parliament February 3, 2020
Anneliese Dodds demands detail on Oxford to Cambridge Expressway review
The Oxford Mail, Banbury Cake, Witney Gazette, The Herald and Bicester Advertiser all run the same report about questions asked by Anneliese Dodds in the House of Commons last Thursday. Here are key excerpts of the article and below, a transcript of the debate with questions from Greg Smith and Daniel Zeichner also, from Hansard.
The Oxford Mail reports “AN Oxford MP has demanded more information about plans to review a huge, new road through Oxfordshire. Speaking in parliament last Thursday, Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds asked the government to release the 'parameters of the review', asking the government to announce when will it be taking place, who will be involved, and if local authorities and groups like the No Expressway Group be invited. Local campaigning groups have requested to be part of any review, but the government have failed to announce whether that will be the case.
The report continues that Anneliese Dodds says “Local groups and campaigns must have a say in any review of the proposed expressway. These groups have legitimate concerns about the impact of the project on the local environment. We need to be investing in local rail and cycling infrastructure, not a new road. I will continue to campaign against the Expressway and instead advocate for more investment in rail and cycle infrastructure locally.”
Thank you Anneliese Dodds! Great to have questions asked in the house. It’s so important to keep the pressure up on the Government to do what it pledged and to make it’s plans transparent.
See the full article here.
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The Hansard record for the debate shows questions from Anneliese Dodds and also from Greg Smith and Daniel Zeichner.. Thank you to all these MPs.
George Freeman’s answers make it clear that the Government is pushing for development of the Arc, growth and housing development.
Oxford-Cambridge Expressway
Anneliese Dodds (Oxford East) (Lab/Co-op)
What recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of proposals for an Oxford-Cambridge expressway. [900510]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (George Freeman)
The Government are completely committed to the east-west innovation corridor, the arc, and the Varsity line—one of the most exciting pieces of corridor infrastructure in the country. We are committed to the rail link, and, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has announced, we are looking closely at the business and sustainability case of the expressway.
Anneliese Dodds
I was pleased to hear the Minister reconfirm that a review will take place. Of course, that was finally agreed to in the heat of the election campaign, perhaps because of concerns that were heard about the expressway. It would be very helpful to understand the parameters of that review: when will it be taking place; who will be involved; and will local authorities and groups such as the No Expressway Group be invited? We really need to know about this if that promise of a review is to be a reality.
George Freeman
I am delighted to say that we are listening to all the representations that we have received. There will be an announcement coming very shortly. Let me reiterate that this is about our commitment to sustainable and integrated public transport with housing. That corridor is a vital housing and growth corridor and we want to make sure that it is sustainable transport that works for the benefit of the people who live there.
Daniel Zeichner (Cambridge) (Lab)
Martin Tugwell of England’s Economic Heartland sub-national transport body described the expressway as a 20th century solution to a 21st century challenge. Is it not absolutely clear that the real answer is a public railway, an electrified railway, with an interchange with HS2?
George Freeman
The hon. Gentleman is bowling outside my off stump, but he knows that we are deeply committed to rail, to connectivity, and to sustainable transport. I cannot pre-empt the Secretary of State’s announcement on the expressway, but let me be very clear: we are committed to sustainable integration of housing with public transport, and that rail link is an absolute priority.
Greg Smith (Buckingham) (Con)
My constituents were very relieved when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State visited Verney Junction during the general election and said that there would be a priority review of the expressway. He gave a commitment that were the expressway to be cancelled, funds would be made available for improvements to existing roads. Can my hon. Friend give an assurance that, should it be cancelled, those funds will be available?
George Freeman
I am delighted to give an assurance that, were the expressway to be cancelled, we would absolutely recognise that significant investment in other and even more important road links in that corridor would be needed.
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No Expressway Group believes there is no need for an Oxford-Cambridge Expressway, nor the over-inflated housing targets associated with it, and we will actively campaign against it and support other organisations with the same objectives.
Our environment is a national asset which is critical for everyone’s health and well-being. We must not let it be destroyed.
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