On Thursday (5 November) in Parliament, High Peak MP Robert Largan raised the launch of the Mottram Bypass and Glossop Spur consultation and urged the Government to get building during Business Questions with the Rt Hon Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, the Leader of the House.
Robert Largan MP asked the Leader of the House:
“For over 50 years, the Mottram bypass has been endlessly promised, delayed, cancelled, argued over and consulted on. I am delighted that the Government have finally committed to build the bypass, but, today, yet another formal and legally required consultation has been launched. After that is completed there has to be a development consent order, a process that lasts a minimum of a further 17 months. May we have a debate on the process around how we build key infrastructure projects, and how we can make it more efficient and faster? The people of Glossop and Hadfield have waited long enough.”
The Leader of the House responded:
“My hon. Friend makes such a powerful point. It is deeply unsatisfactory that it has taken 50 years to deal with this issue and that there will be further delays. The Government do have plans to improve the planning system and to speed up infrastructure projects. Let us hope he does not find any newts, because they are often an absolute nuisance—a ‘newt-sance’, one might even say, Mr Speaker—when it comes to building projects. I will pass on my hon. Friend’s comments to my right hon. Friend the Transport Secretary, who will be answering questions in a month’s time, on 3 December.”
High Peak residents can take part and show support for the project at highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/he/a57-link-roads.
Robert Largan MP commented:
“I have been campaigning hard to get the Mottram Bypass and Glossop Spur built. It is encouraging to hear the Government give its support for this vital project, but the work needs to be accelerated so we can finally get this done.
“I will keep pushing ministers to deliver on their commitment, and ensure the Mottram Bypass stays on the agenda in Westminster.”
