Huw Merriman, has been appointed to the Transport Select Committee which reviews policy and spending on rail, roads and other transport areas. The Select Committee sits in Parliament and conducts enquiries, produces reports and reviews the conduct and performance of the Government, local authorities and the transport industry.
The Transport Select Committee is predicted to have a busy time during the current Parliament, with national issues such as whether to site a new runway at Heathrow or Gatwick and how to deliver the High Speed 2 rail link from London to Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester and other large spending projects, coming under its remit. Closer to home, the committee will be influential in determining issues facing local road and rail users.
Speaking in Westminster, Huw said “I am looking forward to serving on the Transport Select Committee. As a daily commuter myself, and having used the local roads for the last 9 years as a resident, I am aware that we need better infrastructure in East Sussex and I hope to use this role to win the arguments. Transport was a major pledge in my campaign for election to Parliament, so this is a step in the right direction.”
Four Crucial Local Transport Issues for Huw to Get his Teeth into
Roads
With work underway for the new dual carriageway on the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury, focus will shift on duelling the remaining section to the coast. Huw said “I am committed to campaigning for the A21 duelling project to continue south of Pembury and will be lobbying hard to help deliver. The A21 is the most dangerous road in Britain and opens us up for better economic regeneration if links are improved. On the grounds of safety and the economy, it is a vital project for the community.”
Rail Links to London Bridge
With work continuing to redevelop London Bridge by 2018, local train operators Southern and South Eastern have faced challenges over their punctuality. Speaking on this issue, Huw said “London Bridge serves 54 million passengers each year. The new underground concourse will be bigger than the pitch at Wembley Stadium. It is an incredibly exciting development but, in the meantime, commuters have had a difficult time. I met this week with Southern and South Eastern and was pleased to hear their performance is improving. My new role will allow me to better press for action for local commuters.”
High Speed Rail
The Government has signed off in principle for high speed rail to run from St Pancras, via Ashford, to Bexhill. This will reduce the long journey time to 78 minutes and could be delivered by 2019. Huw says “The extension of High Speed 1 will bring huge economic benefits to the constituency, making it more likely that companies will relocate to the area and providing more jobs and regeneration as a result. This is a real game-changer so we have to deliver the economic arguments to make it happen.”
Gatwick Expansion
The Airport Commission has this week favoured a new runway at Heathrow as its preferred option for airport expansion. Gatwick presented ‘a plausible case for expansion’ according to the report but Heathrow provided a better overall case. The Government has to make the decision and will do so later this year. Speaking on Gatwick, Huw said “Gatwick is a huge employer in the area and provides us with a local gateway to the world. Equally, we know that noise pollution can blight people’s lives locally so I will be reviewing this Government decision with great interest”.