Last week I was delighted to welcome the Prime Minister, Theresa May, to
Mid-Cornwall.
As I have written previously, I was keen to get the Prime Minister to
Cornwall at her earliest opportunity, so she could understand first hand some
of the unique challenges we face at this end of the country and why it is
essential for the Government to continue its unprecedented investment in the
county and the south west region in general.
It is significant that the Prime Minister chose to come to Cornwall so
early in her term and reaffirm the government’s commitment to our county. When
I recently questioned her in Parliament, the Prime Minister specifically
mentioned that her ‘economy that works for all’ includes Cornwall, and my time
spent with her last week reinforced that commitment.
Last Tuesday the Prime Minister made the courageous, long-delayed
decision to confirm that a third runway at Heathrow is the
preferred option for airport capacity expansion in the South East.
This decision is not just about what is right
for London but for the country as a whole. I have always believed that
expanding Heathrow is the right move for the country and particularly for
Cornwall. A route from Cornwall Airport Newquay to Heathrow would immeasurably improve
Cornwall’s connections to not only London and the rest of the country, but also
to the major international air hub that Heathrow is. Improving our connectivity
for both people and goods is a key to future economic growth.
I was pleased to see the Prime Minister start
her visit to the South West at Cornwall Airport Newquay. The Prime Minister
said on Heathrow’s expansion that, ‘Not only will it allow the South West's exporters
to reach new markets around the world and encourage new tourism investment, it
will also bring the prospect of cheaper and more convenient holiday trips to
all corners of the globe.’
This is a win-win situation to me. Cornwall Airport Newquay continues to
grow, with another route opening only last week, and I look forward to
continuing to work with its management and the Government to encourage its own
expansion, as well as working towards the other positive improvements outlined
above, in the future.
Of course a decision on airport expansion is not the only way
in which we are looking to improve Cornwall’s connectivity. The Prime Minister
has been vocal about putting the South West at the heart of the Government’s
transport investment plans.
A major part of the Conservative 2015 manifesto was a commitment to
transport improvements. In Cornwall this included improvements to the A30 and
our railway network.
Of the £15bn
government investment in the national road network, the dualling of the A30 is
part of the largest single project. By 2018 the Government will also have
provided the funding to replace the old Intercity trains on the
Penzance-Paddington route with new rolling stock that will be quicker, more
reliable and more comfortable than the current trains that are now 40 years old.
With Brexit talk
still dominating the headlines I was also pleased to be part of a meeting at
Cornwall Airport Newquay with the Prime Minister along with Cornwall Council and
business leaders. I felt this was really positive and we presented a clear
positive view to the Prime Minister of the massive potential Cornwall has post
Brexit.
