High Peak MP Robert Largan questioned the Road and Rail Ministers in a Transport Select Committee hearing conducted by video conference.

Keeping supply chains operating is essential to ensuring High Peak’s supermarket shelves remain stacked, and key workers get the PPE they need, especially in the NHS and social care.

Robert asked specifically about the long-term resilience of supply chains, and what contingencies the Government has in place if staff levels fall to critical levels.

Baroness Vere, the Roads Minister, responded:

“That is a really good question. Of course, we are looking at the status of supply chains on a daily basis at the moment, to make sure that there is resilience within the supply chain. Interestingly, the amount of staff sickness within the haulage sector is relatively low compared with other sectors, which has been fairly positive to date.”

This led to an exchange about the safety of haulage workers in High Peak and across the country with reference to social distancing measures at regional distribution centres and access to motorway services for basic necessities, such as toilet facilities.

Robert was also able to raise the importance of much-needed improvements to local transport in the High Peak. This exchange included discussion about the Mottram Bypass and the bid for a railway station for Gamesley.

Robert Largan MP commented:

“Although Parliament is in recess, the business of holding the Government to account continues. In a Transport Select Committee meeting with ministers, I made sure the concerns of High Peak residents were heard loudly and clearly.

“People in High Peak are worried about empty shelves in the supermarkets and key workers not having the vital PPE they need. I put pressure on the ministers to ensure supply chains remain strong in the face of the current crisis so everyone in the High Peak is able to get through this.”

The full transcript of the hearing can be found here.