Dear Editor, With our region already reported to be suffering from spending cuts which the Government seems determined to deny, we are reminded once again of the enormous disparity between what this Government says and what it does.
Its decision a few months ago to support and fast-track infrastructure projects in the North-West and the South-East prompted Edgbaston MP Gisela Stewart to seek assurances from the Chancellor that the needs of the West Midlands would not once again be forgotten. Much sought after investment for our region was duly promised.
As we continue to wait for Mr Darling to make good his pledge, the Government has quietly committed a further £200 million in support of Manchester’s Metrolink light rail network, despite having stated very publicly and quite unequivocally that there would be no transport funding for regions which did not commit to congestion charging.
This has to be seen in the context of the Government’s persistent refusal to support long-awaited transport infrastructure projects in the only region outside London which is subjected to congestion charging – for what is the M6 Toll if not a form of road-pricing?
The duplicity and double standards of the current administration continue to work against the interests of Birmingham and the West Midlands. I trust our Edgbaston MP will now hold the Chancellor and the DfT to account.
A J Millinger,
(by e-mail).
