York and North Yorkshire’s Mayor has said he will push for significant transport funding from the Government to address challenges facing the region amid concerns major projects remain in limbo.
Labour Mayor David Skaith is set to meet with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to discuss funding on ahead of next week’s Spending Review.
Mr Skaith said the region was facing serious and challenging transport issues following the news that York’s Station Gateway and Outer Ring Road projects face a combined £128m funding shortfall.
The Department for Transport has been contacted for comment.
It comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled £15.6bn in transport funding for projects across England’s city regions.
York and North Yorkshire did not feature in the announcement but Local Transport Grant funding worth £20m has been earmarked for the region for 2025-6.
The grants cover areas outside of city regions.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands the Government is due to set out further details on transport funding, including in next week’s Spending Review.
Mr Skaith said York and North Yorkshire’s transport funding settlement would be decided next week along with areas such as Hull and East Yorkshire and Greater Lincolnshire.
But it comes as schemes to improve the area by the front of York Station and dual the Outer Ring Road face shortfalls of £18.5m and £110m respectively.
Government funding worth £25m for the Outer Ring Road project which includes dualling it from the A19 to the Little Hopgrove remains under review.
Money earmarked for a planned rail station in Haxby also continues to be subject to spending reviews launched by the Labour Government after taking power last year.
York Council’s Labour administration has said difficult decisions will be required keep the projects on track, with options including staggering works on the ring road while extra funding is found.
Proposals which also include transferring £5m from the Outer Ring Road to finish the Station Gateway are set to be discussed next week ahead of a decision in July.
The council’s opposition Liberal Democrat group has said the region has so far been left without a single extra penny in funding following Wednesday’s announcement.
Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Coun Stephen Fenton said it also came after the Labour Government dropped funding pledged from HS2 including almost £380m for York and North Yorkshire.
Coun Fenton added mayor Mr Skaith had so far failed to make the case for the region.
The Liberal Democrat said: “We are deeply disappointed that the Government has announced major funding packages with mayoral other areas receiving billions to transform their transport networks while our region has once again been overlooked.
“Key transport projects like the dualling of the York Outer Ring Road and the long-promised Haxby Station remain in limbo, stalled while construction costs rise.
“The mayor’s inaction has left us without the resources we need not only to deliver long-awaited upgrades, but also to invest in much needed improvements to walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure.”
Coun Chris Steward, leader of the council’s Conservative group, said rising costs for the projects was resulting in money already pledged for them under his party’s Government being squandered.
The Conservative said: “Once again residents will be wondering what is the point of having a Labour council, two Labour MPs and a Labour mayor to lobby the Labour Government if they once again come back empty handed with nothing for York.
“Conservatives in York remain fully committed to delivering the Station Gateway, dualling the ring road and reopening Haxby Railway Station., no ifs or buts.
“It is time Labour got together and decided where they stand rather than leaving residents in limbo.”
But Labour council leader Coun Claire Douglas said concluding that York would not receive extra funding following Wednesday’s announcement would be premature.
The Labour council leader said: “York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has seen four times the level of transport funding our area received previously under the Conservatives, since Labour formed a government last year.
“That is positive but doesn’t mean we aren’t pushing for greater funding for local priorities, including dualling the Outer Ring Road and for Haxby Station, amongst other major projects.”
Mr Skaith said the Government must back the region in its ambition to transform the region and deliver for communities.
The mayor said: “I will be speaking to the transport secretary to press the importance of securing a significant, flexible, multi-year settlement on transport that is fit for a region like ours, one that is facing serious and challenging transport issues.”
By: Joe Gerrard, LDRS
