Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham, has confirmed that his feasibility funding bid has received the backing of North West Durham by over three to one.
You can read about Richard’s campaign and work on this here and here.
Richard ran a transport survey which, over the space of just a few days, hundreds of North West Durham constituents took part in to show their overwhelming public support for his feasibility study application for the proposed new public transport link between Consett and Gateshead/Newcastle.
Overall, 72% of those who took the survey back Richard’s bid for a feasibility study and the proposed railway with just 22% stating that they were in opposition to it.
Interestingly, the survey response showed significant support from people who voted for all parties at the last General Election, with support of at least 2 to 1 from all non-Labour voter groups.
- 85% of Conservative voters supported it, with 12% against and just 3% didn’t know.
- 91% of Brexit Party voters supported it, with just 9% against.
- 92% of Green voters supported it, with 8% against.
- 80% of Independent voters supported it, with 20% against.
- 71% of non-voters or those that wouldn’t confirm who they had voted for supported it, with 29% against.
- 50% of Lib Dem voters supported it, with 22% against and 28% didn’t know.
- Opinion amongst those who voted Labour at the last election was almost exactly evenly split with 44% supporting, 45% opposing and the remainder “Don’t Know”.
Comments from constituents responding to the survey included people focused on a few key main potential benefits: better connections for jobs and tourism; positive benefits for the local economy; better access to training and education opportunities; environmental benefits of getting cars off the road and investing in local infrastructure.
Amongst Labour supporters the reason most commonly given for not supporting the scheme was that “it won’t happen” – which reflects a general neglect that many people in North West Durham have felt as a community that has been left behind. Concerns from all groups related to the potential impact on the Derwent Walk as a cycling and walking path. Richard has made clear that any bid will include a commitment to a cycling/walking route alongside the line and see improved cycling and walking links into it.
If successful 75% of the funding for the feasibility study will come from the Department of Transport.
Commenting, Richard stated “I am delighted that so many constituents have an instinctive positive reaction to the prospect of a new public transport link from Consett to the Tyne. Hundreds of people took part in the survey and it’s clear that overwhelmingly people can see that such a scheme would hugely benefit the area: economically, environmentally and in providing opportunities, especially for those without a car and would be a real boost our local economy.
“I understand the concerns some people have raised about the Derwent Walk and what I will do is ensure that any feasibility study ensures that protecting cycling and walking options along the route is a top priority.
“This project is about trying to get much needed investment into our community, which has been left behind for far too long. This scheme will really help access for training, education and employment opportunities, massively benefit the local environment, and provide a vital long-term sustainable economic boost to our area.
“I’ll now press ahead with the bid for funding for a feasibility study from the Department of Transport and will continue to work with and for all my constituents on this.”
To hear more about the work that Richard is doing for North West Durham, you can sign up here or input your details in the form on this page.