The transport secretary has written to the town’s Conservative MP committing to funding support after the town experienced a ‘devasting blow’ when HS2 was axed last month.
After the Conservative party decided to scrap the northern leg of HS2 at their pollical party conference in October, Mark Harper, the transport secretary, has written to Dr Kieran Mullan, Crewe’s Conservative MP, this week pledging to provide support.
The Labour leader of Cheshire East Council, Sam Corcoran, had previously called for compensation from the government.
In the letter, Mr Harper outlined that the government ‘will also commit to extensive work with the council and other local leaders – led by the Department of Transport and the Department of Levelling Up – to determine new regeneration and growth opportunities in Crewe.’
Following this, Mr Harper said supportive measures would include how to make the most of the ‘substantial funding’ for Cheshire East under the new Local Integrated Transport Settlements, which he said would be set out ‘in due course’.
Mr Mullan said the decision on HS2 was not the one he wanted and said he understood ‘why people will be sceptical about pledges from government right now.’
However, the transport minister said he had been raising the need for support for Crewe with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the chancellor and the transport and levelling up secretaries.
‘Getting this formal commitment is the first step and I am now focused on securing funding to support it,’ Mr Harper said. ‘This is something I will work with Cheshire East on, and they have been able to put forward the funding figures we can use as a basis for negotiation with government.’
Image: Jonny Gios
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