Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling MP was a guest of Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman Mark Garnier today in Stourport. Mark had asked him to Stourport to look at the proposals for the Stourport Relief Road.
Mark Garnier has been a strong champion for Stourport on this vital infrastructure issue and had invited Chris Grayling to see for himself the many reasons why the relief road is so important.
Speaking after his visit, Chris Grayling commented: "I am very grateful indeed for mark's invitation to Stourport. I can see clearly why he is so keen to get this important piece of infrastructure built. I am not in a position to make any pledges at all on individual projects and I will not even consider anything until we see the outcome of the Government's infrastructure spending review next year. However, it is impossible for me to be able to sit in an office in Westminster making decisions on what happens on the ground outside London. That is why I came here today.
"Mark is a huge advocate of Stourport and I am fully supportive of his campaign. He has demonstrated well what the issues are and Wyre Forest's interests will be considered as the Conservative team formulates it's transport policy."
Mark Garnier has been campaigning and lobbying for the Stourport Relief Road ever since it was announced that the Government had told Worcestershire County Council that there was no money for Stourport two years ago. Indeed, the Government has recently denied the County Council a grant of £750,000 to fully appraise Worcestershire's transport needs.
Speaking after Chris Grayling left, Mark Garnier said: "I am very pleased with the visit. This project is one of my main priorities for three reasons. First, it will ease congestion in Stourport, giving relief to residents and allowing free trade to come and go from Stourport, improving the local economy. Secondly, we have several world class tourist attractions and businesses in Wyre Forest. It is vital that these organisations can get visitors, staff and raw materials in, and produce out. Our local economic assets must be protected and not stifled by traffic congestion. Finally, we have an opportunity for the Stourport Road to develop into an exciting business area, bringing jobs and prosperity to a much needed area. This will not happen unless we have the infrastructure to support it."