Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the contribution of further investment in road and rail infrastructure to economic growth and resilience in the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership area.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and I agree about the vital contribution of road and rail infrastructure to national and local economic growth and resilience. In the Spending Review, the government committed to £7.2 billion of transport investment in the South West, including projects with benefits for the Heart of the South West area such as the £2 billion investment to dual the A303. The government also confirmed that:

• Projects such as the North Devon Link Road will be able to bid for the new £475 million Local Majors Fund.
• It is investing £20 million in the New Stations Fund, which will look at bids including the proposal for a stop between Castle Cary to Taunton.
• The new South Western rail franchise will incentivise bidders to increase capacity and improve passenger satisfaction.
• Existing £195.5m Growth Deal commitments, including transport infrastructure, have been confirmed.