At Prime Minister’s Questions today [28/02/2024], Jonathan Gullis, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North, spoke about recent Government investment into local transport in Stoke-on-Trent.
On Monday, it was announced that Stoke-on-Trent would benefit from a tenfold increase in local transport funding through the Local Transport Fund. This is in addition to £40 million for the wider Staffordshire region.
As a keen advocate for better local transport, Gullis has welcomed this significant investment that will “better connect our communities and fix our broken roads and pavements.”
This builds on a £200 million package of investment for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to fix potholes – an issue which Gullis has previously said “Drives us mad in the Potteries”. Alongside this, Gullis praised the Government once more for the £31.7 million set aside to upgrade the local bus network.
Speaking at a packed Prime Minister’s Questions, , Jonathan Gullis said:
“Mr Speaker, since 2019, the Prime Minister has had our backs in Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke with record in funding for our local transport.”
Over £200 million for Stoke and Staffordshire to repair potholes. Over £30 million to improve our bus network with cheaper fairs and new and extended routes. Funding to upgrade both Kidsgrove and Stoke-on-Trent railway stations, bringing back the Stoke to Leek line.”
“And this week we've seen Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire see a tenfold increase in transport funding year in, year out. I know the party opposite like to talk down Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke.”
“But isn't it true that this Prime Minister, this Conservative Party, are the only party with a plan to better connect our communities and fix our broken roads and pavements?”
Responding, the Prime Minister said:
“Well, as ever, my Hon.Friend is a fantastic champion for Stoke-on-Trent and Kidsgrove. And he's right. Over the next several years, his area will receive ten times as much as they currently do to invest in local transport schemes as a result of this government's decision on HS2.
But he's also right. After years of being neglected by the party opposite, it's this Conservative government that is levelling up across the country and in Stoke-on-Trent, championed by fantastic MPs like him.”