Burton and Uttoxeter Member of Parliament, Kate Kniveton MP, has welcomed the announcement, as part of Government’s the Network North programme, that Staffordshire County Council is to benefit from an additional £186,273,000 to help with road defects such as potholes.
Network North is the Government’s new £36 billion plan to build better transport infrastructure for the whole country. In October, the Prime Minister announced that HS2 will still be delivered between London and Birmingham but every pound that would have been spent extending it to Manchester will instead be invested in transport projects that will benefit the whole country.
Kate Kniveton MP, who has consistently campaigned for more roads funding and upgrades since her election, has welcomed the extra millions for Staffordshire County Council, which will mean constituents in her Burton and Uttoxeter constituency will enjoy smoother, safer, and faster road journeys.
This announcement comes on the back of Ms Kniveton writing to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, along with seven other Staffordshire parliamentarians, asking for additional funding ahead of the Autumn Statement.
In total, the Government’s £8.3 billion long-term plan to resurface 5,000 miles of roads across the country, represents the biggest ever uplift in funding for local road improvements.
Commenting, Kate Kniveton MP said:
“I hear from residents across Burton and Uttoxeter who are frustrated at the number of potholes on our local roads. It is very much a frustration that I share.
“Staffordshire County Council is the responsible authority for fixing our local roads in Burton and Uttoxeter, but I have done all I can since being elected, calling on Government ministers and the Department for Transport to give our local leaders more resources and investment to get the job done.
“I welcome the announcement that Staffordshire is to receive a share of the £8.3 billion, in addition to its regular annual budget. This funding will greatly improve the day-to-day lives of my constituents – ensuring shorter, faster and smoother journeys.
“This funding will also complement the funding I have already secured for our major trunk roads, the A50 and the A38, enabling significant upgrades across our road networks in East Staffordshire.”
