Lib Dems Welcome EU Funding For East Of England transport boost

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 22nd Jul 2009

The Liberal Democrats have welcomed the news that the EU is set to fund a major expansion of the region's transport infrastructure. The European Commission is likely to recommend to the European Parliament funding of over € 35 million for three key projects under the Trans-European Transport Network programme.

The three projects involve the upgrading of the Felixstowe-Nuneaton railway, a traffic management scheme for the A14 and dredging and reclamation works at the Thames London Gateway port.

Andrew Duff, Lib Dem MEP for the East of England, said:

"The Commission has indicated that it will support this investment in the East of England. We must now ensure that the European Parliament approves the proposal.

"These three projects will help shift freight from road to rail and enhance the capacity of our ports. There will be environmental benefits and cost efficiency.

"Welcome as this money is, this opportunity has taken too long to arrive at. For several years, the British government failed to show sufficient interest in leveraging EU money for the region. And the Conservative Party oppose the development of a powerful region.

"I hope this success for the East of England in Europe will be followed by many more when the next round of EU funding becomes available in 2013. This will only be possible if the UK decides to become a more reliable partner and active player in EU affairs. Tory isolationism will be a disaster for our region and the country as a whole."

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