Dr Neil Hudson MP has welcomed £286,957,000 of funding from the Conservative Government over the next eleven years in Cumbria so thousands across Penrith and The Border can enjoy smoother, safer and faster journeys.
The funding follows the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s announcement at Conservative Party Conference that the £36 billion that would have been spent extending HS2 would now be spent on long-term transport improvements that will deliver better, faster journeys for far more people.
New plans allow the Conservative Government to invest £8.3 billion, enough to resurface over 5,000 miles of roads across the country, saving motorists up to £440 on vehicle repairs and creating smoother, safer and easier journeys for all.
In Westmorland and Furness, local highway authorities will receive £2,347,000 this financial year, followed by a further £2,347,000 for 2024-25 as part of a long-term funding plan through to 2034.
The figures in Cumberland are £1,949,000 for this financial year and the same figure again next year.
This is one of the key cornerstones of Network North to improve every day journeys. This funding comes on top of the local transport, road and rail budgets allocated at the last Spending Review and in addition to what local authorities were already expecting for the next decade.
This announcement is only possible due to the long-term decision the Conservative Government has taken to redirect every penny of savings from HS2 in transport projects across the country – benefitting more people in more places, more quickly.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
“Those of us in rural areas like Penrith and The Border rely a huge amount on our road network to get to work, visit family and make appointments - and so I know firsthand how much of an inconvenience potholes can be.
"That's why I'm proud to champion our Conservative Government's plan to redirect HS2 funding to local highway authorities up and down the country.
"£286,957,000 is a truly phenomenal amount for Cumbria and will massively improve the day to day lives of my constituents – ensuring shorter, faster and smoother journeys.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak added:
“For too long politicians have shied away from taking the right long-term decisions to make life easier for hardworking families - tackling the scourge of potholes being a prime example.
“Well-maintained road surfaces could save drivers up to £440 each in expensive vehicle repairs, helping motorists keep more of the cash in their pocket.
“This unprecedented £8.3 billion investment will pave the road for better and safer journeys for millions of people across the country and put an end to the blight of nuisance potholes.”
