Chloe SmithMP for Norwich North
Chloe SmithThis week the Government held its Spending Review, which confirmed £100 billion will be spent in 2021-22 on vital infrastructure, meaning improvements for roads, rail, hospitals, schools, broadband and housing.
The Chancellor highlighted that Norwich will benefit from £39m of investment, including a mobility hub at Norwich station, a part of the Transforming Cities Fund programme. The East of England will also benefit from over £130 million funding for local roads maintenance in 21-22.
This has been a tough year for everyone, but I welcome the new National Infrastructure Strategy, and a new UK infrastructure bank, which will make a big difference. It is more important than ever to focus on improving transport and bringing more good jobs to our city.
This news shows that the Government will not let Coronavirus get in the way of the levelling up agenda, and it is putting infrastructure at the centre of our economic recovery. The Conservative manifesto I stood on promised opportunity for all and this is what we are delivering.
Infrastructure investment will help create homes and jobs locally, which are fundamentally important for people. Improvements to infrastructure and the rail network will benefit us all, with faster transport times and new opportunities for investment in our city.
I have always worked hard to make the case for infrastructure investment in Norwich, with £1.4bn of investment already allocated for our railway. I also sit on the Great Eastern Mainline Taskforce and joined all Conservative Norfolk MPs earlier this year to make the case for investment in Norfolk directly to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
Moving forward, I will continue ensure ministers know what Norwich and Norfolk needs as the country begins to re-open and beyond. While speed and performance has already improved on the railway, I will continue to lobby for even more ambitious investment on behalf of constituents.