Road Investment Strategy

Mark Reckless Excerpts
Monday 1st December 2014

(9 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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Yes, and may I say to my hon. Friend how grateful I am to him as although he did not specifically deal with this issue, we did discuss it in general when he was in the Department? He is absolutely right in what he says; we have seen that as far as the railways are concerned—the long-term planning for the rail investment strategy is very important. Likewise, the construction industry will be welcoming this statement as far as its long-term planning is concerned, because it also means that the industry should be able to take on apprentices and plan and train right.

Mark Reckless Portrait Mark Reckless (Rochester and Strood) (UKIP)
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Is it right that costs in respect of the Medway tunnel should continue to fall to local council tax payers, when almost every other toll in the country is part of the strategic roads network and, therefore, funded by the Highways Agency?

Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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It is the first time that the hon. Gentleman has made that point to me. It is amazing how things change on various issues. He will no doubt write to me on the matter.