Public Transport
I am really enjoying the hustings which we are having in Westmorland and Lonsdale. Invariably I use public transport to get to them, which is why I know how important public transport is in Westmorland and Lonsdale and why I am campaigning for its improvement. Here I am getting off the 567 bus to Kirkby Lonsdale on my way to what was a really fun and interesting hustings at Queen Elizabeth School.
Eric Martlew, the outgoing MP for Carlisle and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the West Coast Mainline, was welcomed to Oxenholme train station last week by Jonathan Todd, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale.
Mr Martlew is backing Mr Todd’s campaign to make sure that Oxenholme is a high speed rail stop.
Mr Martlew said:
“Having led the campaign in parliament for the high speed line, I know that the Labour government’s proposals offer the only chance of getting a high speed rail stop in Cumbria. The Tories want the high speed route to turn right at Manchester and go to Leeds. I don’t think it is realistic for every high speed train to Edinburgh or Glasgow to stop at Oxenholme, but there is a very strong case for some trains to make this stop.”
Mr Todd said:
“It was great to welcome Eric to Oxenholme. He is an authority on rail matters and a big hitter. It is excellent to have his backing for a high speed rail stop at Oxenholme.
“This stop would reduce travel times for firms and workers in Westmorland and Lonsdale. It would also make it easier for tourists to reach the area.
“So, it would be a boost to our economic prospects, and it would make it easier for locals to enjoy trips away and holidays. These are major benefits to locals that only Labour government will bring to Cumbria.”
Jonathan Todd, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has welcomed news that the Labour government will provide more than £2 million to help repair potholes in Cumbria’s roads.
Chancellor Alistair Darling has said Cumbria will be given £2.3 million from a £100 million fund to repair roads damaged by the snow, ice and plummeting temperatures in recent months.
Mr Todd said:
“Potholes are an issue which many local people raise with me. This welcome news illustrates the responsiveness of the Labour government to the needs of Cumbria. I hope this money is fairly used throughout the county and that Westmorland and Lonsdale gets the share that we need.”
The funding will allow local authorities to pay for the most urgent immediate repairs.
Local resident Lois Sparling said:
“As someone who frequently cycles and also drives on local roads, I am very much aware of the damage which the past winter has inflicted upon them. This extra help to deal with potholes is very timely.”
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said:
“The Chancellor announced an extra £100 million for local authorities to repair pothole damage as a result of this winter’s severe weather. I intend to allocate this to councils as soon as possible, so that they can immediately get their maintenance staff filling potholes and making our roads as safe as possible for drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists. We have trebled funding to local authorities over the last 10 years for road maintenance. This pothole fund further demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that our roads are in the best possible condition.”
I’m standing as Labour’s candidate in Westmorland and Lonsdale to fight for high quality local transport. The Lakes Line is key to this and I’d like to see a debate on the introduction of more halts on this line. Please watch the video below where I make the case for this at Staveley train station.
I’m concerned about traffic congestion and lack of parking in Kendal. I’d like the community to discuss the best ways ahead on these issues and for serious consideration to be given to a Park-and-Ride scheme for Kendal. Please watch this video where I discuss these issues.
