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Capital Infrastructure Projects: Bristol — [Ms Nusrat Ghani in the Chair]
14 October 2020
Lead MP
Kerry McCarthy
Bristol East
Lab
Responding Minister
Christopher Pincher
Tags
EconomyHousingTransportLocal Government
Word Count: 4594
Other Contributors: 3
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 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:
Lead Contributor
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.
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
Government Response
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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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.