East Midlands mayor angry as road projects scrapped

In a statement, the Labour mayor for the region Claire Ward said she had only been informed of the decision while Sir Keir Starmer was making his speech announcing a £15bn boost in defence spending.

“If mayors and their regions are to be seen as respected partners of government, we need to be treated like grown-ups and involved in trade-offs which affect our regions,” she said.

“I understand that everywhere will need to contribute so that we can be safe in a less certain world.

“What I cannot understand is why the only region being asked to lose £900m of investment into its roads is the East Midlands – that is not equitable and fails to recognise the decades of underinvestment that have preceded today’s decision.

“The East Midlands will play its part in delivering a safer world – we have strengths in defence and will be investing into those alongside the government.

“But people working in defence need good roads so that their staff can get to work, access their supply chains, and trade. We will not serve our defence sector well if we underinvest into its enabling infrastructure.

“The government must seek contributions from regions other than ours and from spending areas other than roads. This is what I am asking ministers for today.”

A “Defence Investment Plan Funding explainer”, external published by the government outlines that £700m will be saved from the Department of Transport from its roads funding.

“The department will consult on reductions to the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) – including the potential cancellation of the A38 Derby Junctions and A46 Newark Bypass schemes, both of which are yet to enter contract and not as far along as other road schemes,” it said.

“There will be stakeholder consultations before any final decision is taken.”