York Outer MP Luke Charters says the fact that the Haxby Station project may be cancelled is a “sad reality” of the state of public finances.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlined a series of cuts yesterday, including any ‘Restoring Your Railway’ schemes that have not yet started.
Funding for the Haxby scheme, now with York planners, was from that initiative.
York Liberal Democrat councillors say that this means the £24m project, earmarked for Towthorpe Road, has hit the buffers.
We have asked the Department for Transport for clarification.
Mr Charters was elected as the Labour MP for York Outer at the general election, replacing Conservative Julian Sturdy who was a big supporter of Haxby Station.
Mr Charters told YorkMix: “The Chancellor has outlined a £22bn black hole left by the Conservatives for this fiscal year.
“This means that some of the Conservatives unfunded projects may be cancelled. A sad reality, but it is a result of their economic incompetence.
“I made it clear in Parliament that my constituents deserve to know about the state of the public finances – that is exactly what this Government is doing.
“This honest approach is why people in York Outer elected me as their Labour MP, and rejected the Conservatives so resoundingly.
“It is only with a strong economy; a publicly owned rail network; and a Labour Government, that we can truly deliver for the people of York Outer.”
Awaiting confirmation
Deputy leader of City of York Council Pete Kilbane said: “The council is yet to receive any confirmation Haxby Station is in the list of schemes to be shelved.
“Should this be the case, then it would be hugely disappointing as it forms part of a city-wide plan to get people travelling more sustainably.
“But we do know what it’s like to enter office and find a financial black hole that needs addressing. Ignoring this is simply not an option and unfortunately will have an impact on communities across the country.
“On this, public criticism should be focussed on the former Conservative Government and underfunding of its promises.
“The review of schemes is ongoing, and we will continue to represent our residents by arguing the case for a new station north of the city.
“We are determined to deliver improved, affordable, and sustainable transport options for residents and all those travelling in and out of York in the years ahead.
“The speed of the Liberal Democrats manufactured outrage shows them to be more interested in scoring political points than working to tackle our transport challenges, both through the opportunities the Mayoral Combined Authority presents and by engaging with the Government to find solutions for York”.
Conservative Group Leader Cllr Chris Steward said: “Once again, Labour has been caught out offering false promises to voters to get elected.
“Despite promising residents in the north of York dozens of time that this key project would be in safe hands if they were in government, it has taken them less than a month to scrap funding.
“The Conservatives were ready to deliver Haxby Railway Station and had the funding in place. We will keep campaigning for Haxby Railway Station; as well as holding the new government to account as it is clear none of our city’s MPs are willing to do so.”