Supporters of the Minsters Rail Campaign are questioning the priorities of East Riding of Yorkshire Council after they ‘wrecked’ hopes of saying the region is open for Rail Expansion projects.
Cllr Peter Hemmerman, Market Weighton Town Councillor and Chairman of Minsters Rail Campaign says that Conservative Councillors instead voted on the focus of the council being put into roads and flood defence.
In a statement released Cllr Hemmerman said;
“At the East Riding Council meeting on 10 January, the entire complement of Conservative councillors voted against their own twenty year Local Plan strategy and agreed not to engage with their own government on offers to improve rail travel across the East Riding by supporting new rail projects and improvements.”
“Chief protagonist, Cllr Symon Fraser from Driffield, tabled a wrecking amendment to a motion by Lib Dem Cllr Denis Healy for the Council to work with Rail North on supporting rail projects in the region.”
“Cllr Fraser’s amendment called for Council spending to be limited to roads and flood prevention only, despite the motion making it clear that no money or resources were being asked for.”
Cllr Hemmerman says that the action taken by the controlling Conservative group raises a question – what are Cllr Fraser and his colleagues afraid of?
Cllr Fraser had reported his concerns over the amounts of money being asked for by Internal Drainage Boards, indicating that funding to them should be reduced.
On the matter of roads, Cllr Fraser must be aware of the current government consultation on Main Road Networks which aims to offer up to £100 million funding per road for bypasses and other improvements on the main ‘A’ roads, including the A1079 and A63. This should address his concerns about lack of road spending.
Cllr Hemmerman added;
“The East Riding Council Environment and Regeneration Sub-committee have been told that funds for rail reinstatement and expansion are available from central government if they collaborate with Rail North and Transport for the North on suggested projects, yet Cllr Fraser’s wrecking amendment and subsequent vote prevent the East Riding Council taking any part in this.”
“Both Cllr Fraser and Cllr Mendini, who seconded the amendment, represent areas which already have a rail service, although this vote may prevent them having any say in improving services and addressing rail infrastructure problems currently being experienced.”
“MPs from York, Beverley and Holderness, and Hull support rail expansion, but the participation of the East Riding Council in any projects is essential for their advancement.”
“However, I believe this is only a pothole on the road to reopening the Beverley to York line. The Minsters Rail Campaign will continue to seek funding and support to help relieve the increasing travel problems across the region that rail would alleviate, but which the East Riding Council refuse to recognise.”
