Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Greg Smith Excerpts
Thursday 30th January 2020

(4 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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George Freeman Portrait George Freeman
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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 Portrait Greg Smith (Buckingham) (Con)
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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 Portrait George Freeman
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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.