Local MP, Martin Vickers, and his Brigg & Goole neighbour, Andrew Percy, met with Chancellor today to discuss the local economy and their ambitious bid for over £1 billion of flood defence funding for the Humber.
During the meeting at Parliament, Martin spoke of the importance of transport infrastructure investment to the future economic growth of northern Lincolnshire.
Martin said:
“The Chancellor wanted to meet with us to discuss our vision for the Humber area and its place within the Northern Powerhouse initiative over the next five years. We have already had a lot of investment into northern Lincolnshire, but we welcomed the opportunity to discuss our future plans. We stressed the importance of continuing improvements to the transport network if we are to maximise the benefits from inward investment particularly in the renewable sector. These include dualling the A15 and rail electrification. The continuing falls in unemployment locally and nationally is welcome but better infrastructure will attract even more investment and jobs.”
“We also explained to the Chancellor that two of our key campaigns for the coming years are the dualling of the A15 and the electrification of the south bank rail line. These projects have cross-party support locally and Lincolnshire's MPs will work together on them.”
The campaign for £1.28 billion of flood defence funding for the Humber, led by the two MPs, follows the £80 million already allocated by the Chancellor, George Osborne, for flood defences in our area. As a long-term flood prevention scheme, the £1.28 billion detailed in the Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy could see a consistent standard of protection until 2057.
Martin said:
“We were also able to discuss the flood defence funding bid from local MPs, that the local Councils and the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership have produced for our area. This is presently being assessed by the Environment Agency, Treasury and Department for the Environment official; a statement is expected in July. This is a very ambitious proposal and it is a lot of money we are seeking. However, we made clear that the funding not only protects local homes, but also safeguards our area for economic development and protects the port complexes. This is good for the whole of the United Kingdom's economy.”