National Infrastructure Plan
Debate between Neil Parish and Danny Alexander(11 years ago)
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Danny Alexander
The decision on the A14 was taken in direct response to our public consultation. The A14 would have been the only road in the country to be tolled in that way. We said that we were considering that and wanted to know what people thought, and they told us what they thought. Tolling on estuarial crossings, I am reliably informed, is usual practice and an important part of financing such projects.
Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con)
I welcome the Chief Secretary’s pipeline of funding. Will he turn the tap on in relation to the A30 and the A303 running east out of Honiton so that it can be continuously dualled and we can have a second pipeline of roads into the west country?
Investing in Britain’s Future
Debate between Neil Parish and Danny Alexander(11 years, 5 months ago)
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Danny Alexander
We set out the plans for capital investment in 2015-16 and beyond yesterday and in the Budget last time. We have set aside £50.4 billion in 2015-16. That is £3 billion more than was previously promised, which we added to at the time of the budget. Those comments are ludicrous when we have not yet heard an apology from Labour for the mess they made of the British economy.
Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con)
I welcome the Chief Secretary’s statement. Affordable flood insurance for all is essential. Also, the A303/A30, which runs from Honiton up into Somerset and Wiltshire, is absolutely essential for the visitor experience in the west country and for its businesses. One final plea is for new school buildings for Tiverton high school and a new school building for Mrs Ethelston’s primary school in Uplyme.
Danny Alexander
I agree wholeheartedly about the importance of the A303 and those road connections. The south-west is a vital part of our economy and needs to be properly connected to the rest of the country, and this investment will do that. With regard to the specific points on schools, I will ensure that they are brought to the attention of the Secretary of State for Education.