Berwick MP Anne Marie Trevelyan has rejected criticism of the government’s decision to double the A1 in the run-up to the general election.
The much-anticipated scheme was controversially approved on Friday after being delayed four times earlier. The timing of the decision has been described as “cynical” and “embarrassing” by Tory political opponents as it comes ahead of an election they are predicted to lose.
But Ms Trevelyan, who is running in the newly created North Northumberland constituency, hit back at the claims. In an interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, she filed for re-election.
The former transport minister said: “The criticism just suggests they don’t understand how the planning inspectorate works. The deadline would be next week but when a general election is called you have 48 hours to get things done.”
“I was very much in favor of the transport minister’s time being focused on the A1. He could have decided either way, there was nothing cynical about it.”
“The delays were a result of environmental groups suing the Department for Transport over its road building programme. The A1 is incredibly well thought out and has passed all environmental tests.
“Those who sued the government couldn’t stop us but they slowed the process down. I’m really excited and once we’ve done the 13 miles we can move on to campaigning to get it all the way to Berwick – there’s more to come.” “
Unsurprisingly, when asked about her achievements during her time in office since first being elected in 2014, Ms Trevelyan was quick to point to A1.
She continued: “I’m really excited that our ‘dual A1’ campaign has now reached the point where it can really take off. It takes a really long time to build such a large infrastructure, but we are now ready to receive excavators. .
“I’m really proud that we have our new hospital in Berwick, the new school in Amble is up and running and the Duchess in Alnwick is done. We’ve managed to get the Conservative council to focus on some really important things.” in North Northumberland which had previously been ignored in favor of the South East.
“In nine years we’ve seen really good progress but there’s always work to do. My focus is on getting the kickers in and I want to see the new Berwick Academy built.
“Alnwick Infirmary needs attention and we need work in dentistry. I’d also really like to tackle housing to build the right houses in the right place for the right people.”
The current British Elects and New Statesman polls put Labor slightly ahead in the North Northumberland constituency. Charity boss David Smith, who was unveiled as the party’s candidate last week, is predicted to get 32.5% of the vote, compared with Ms Trevelyan and the Conservatives on 30.3%.
Nationally, the Tories are currently well behind in the polls, with the Tories on 23.4%, while Labor on 45.1%, according to the UK Voter Survey. This would give Labor 417 seats to the Tories’ 124.
Asked what the party could do to win back voters, Ms Trevelyan – who served in Liz Truss’s cabinet – admitted: “It’s been a tough Parliament.
“We had Covid for two months, during which it was a huge, traumatic shock to the whole country with huge costs. Just as we were recovering, Putin invaded Ukraine, which raised prices and affected us all.
“You have to focus on the crisis of the day and we’ve had two huge crises. Going forward, the Prime Minister has really made it clear that there is a clear plan.”
“It’s really important that we have a secure future. The world is a very unstable place.
“I quite like Keir (Starmer), he’s a sensible man – but the fact that I’ve supported Corbyn twice doesn’t give me any confidence.