Labour has been accused of a never-ending "war on motorists" after scrapping two major road projects. Both schemes have been ditched because of funding issues in a major humiliation for the government. It also makes a mockery of Andy Burnham's transport programme. Critics branded the move a "disaster" for commuters and business.
Projects removed from Major Road Network
The Department for Transport said it has removed both the A31 Farnham Corridor and the A127 Economic Growth Corridor schemes from its Major Road Network programme.
Richard Holden, Shadow Transport Secretary, blasted the decisions.
"Labour's war on the motorist never ends," he said. "Raiding the roads budget to fund more welfare hits at the drivers of economic growth and makes absolutely no sense.
"At the very moment investment should be going into improving our road network, Labour are killing dozens of major improvement schemes.
"Conservatives have a plan to cut the ballooning welfare bill, fix our roads and tackle infrastructure costs whereas Labour are the welfare party and simply don't care about drivers, truckers and riders. Only Conservatives will put working Britons first."
Government defends decision
Regarding the A31 scheme, a Department for Transport spokesperson said the previous Conservative government "did not fund these projects".
"Given the challenging financial picture we inherited, we have had to make difficult decisions on a number of road projects and can only progress schemes that are good value for money for taxpayers."
The spokesperson added the government was "backing drivers with over £1billion for 16 major road schemes that will deliver the most benefits to local people.
"[That's] on top of a record £7.3bn to repair local roads and fix potholes," they said.
Local leaders react
Tim Oliver, the leader of Surrey County Council, said it was "deeply frustrating" the government had abandoned the scheme - rather than work with the local authority to deliver improvements.
"The case for action has not changed," he said. "Safety concerns and impact on the communities along the A31 remain."
The ending of improvements along the A127 in Essex has been branded a "disaster" by the County Council's leader.
The scheme formed part of the wider A127 Economic Growth Corridor programme, which Essex County Council says is intended to unlock economic growth, improve journey times and support major housing and employment development across south Essex.
Peter Harris, Reform leader of Essex County Council, said the decision had dealt a major blow to the region.
He said: "We are extremely disappointed by the Department for Transport's decision to remove the A127 Corridor for Growth scheme from the Major Road Network programme.
"The A127 is a major artery for south Essex, connecting communities, businesses and employment centres and providing considerable opportunity for growth. It already carries huge volumes of traffic and has significant congestion and road safety challenges.
"The decision to withdraw funding is a disaster for this part of Essex. Without further investment and development, the A127's junctions will overflow."
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "The previous government did not fund these projects.
"Given the challenging financial picture we inherited, we have had to make difficult decisions on a number of road projects and can only progress schemes that are good value for money for taxpayers.
"We're backing drivers with over £1bn for 16 major road schemes that will deliver the most benefits to local people, on top of a record £7.3bn to repair local roads and fix potholes."
