Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Capital Infrastructure Projects: Bristol — [Ms Nusrat Ghani in the Chair]

14 October 2020 · 3 other contributors · 4,594 words

Opened by Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East

Responding minister: Christopher Pincher

EconomyHousingTransport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Kerry McCarthy raised concerns about capital infrastructure projects: bristol — [ms nusrat ghani in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The Mayor of Bristol's "One City" approach faces challenges such as income and opportunity inequalities, poor transport infrastructure, and a housing crisis.
  • House prices in Easton ward rose 120% from 129,000 to 283,000 over the last decade.
  • MP requests 100 million funding for the Temple quarter regeneration project and investment in flood resilience infrastructure.

Key requests to Government

The lead MP asks for Government support for shovel-ready projects in Bristol, including the Temple quarter regeneration which requires £100 million funding from the Department and Homes England. She also seeks investment in flood resilience infrastructure and calls for the Department to seriously consider bids for future allocations of money.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East

The Mayor of Bristol's 'One City' approach aims to unite the city in delivering its needs, but challenges remain, including income and opportunity inequalities, poor transport infrastructure, and a desperate need for affordable housing. The biggest increase in house prices was seen in Easton ward, with an 120% rise from £129,000 to £283,000 over the last decade. Major regeneration schemes like Temple quarter aim to create new jobs, homes, and economic growth, but they require significant Government support due to the current pandemic.

Other contributors (3)
  • Chris Skidmore

    Chris Skidmore expressed his support for capital projects in Bristol, particularly the Temple quarter district proposals and the University of Bristol's Temple quarter enterprise campus. He noted that these developments could unlock potential for future investment in innovation across the region and highlighted the need for government investment to realise these projects.

  • Darren Jones Lab Bristol North West

    Darren Jones highlighted the need for investment in transport infrastructure to support housing growth and economic opportunities in Bristol. He mentioned the importance of a mass transit system connecting with the Temple Meads development project, addressing commuter traffic issues and reducing carbon emissions.

  • Karin Smyth Lab Bristol South

    Karin Smyth highlighted the importance of Hengrove Park in Bristol's largest housing development, which could deliver around 1,400 homes and create up to 6,000 jobs. She called for £35 million investment from the government to support infrastructure needs at the site. Additionally, she emphasized the long-delayed reopening of the Portishead line as a critical project that would ease congestion and support local development. Karin Smyth intervened to call on the Government to do more joined-up thinking across Departments, focusing on ready projects that have been in the pipeline for a long time. She urged for quicker action and implementation.

Government Response

Christopher Pincher

Minister congratulates MPs on their contributions, highlights Government investments in Bristol through funds like £13.7 million from Getting Building Fund for seven projects and £202 million from Local Growth Fund, mentions plans to reform planning system and boost home building fund, discusses levelling up agenda, green recovery, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

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