The East Midlands is set to lose approximately £900 million in planned road infrastructure investments, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from the region's mayor, Claire Ward. The cancellations coincide with a national announcement of a £15 billion increase in defence spending, leading Ward to question the equity of the trade-offs affecting her region.
Ward, the Labour mayor for the East Midlands, stated she was informed of the road project cancellations during a speech by Sir Keir Starmer detailing the defence spending boost. She articulated that mayors and their regions require respectful partnership and involvement in decisions that impact them.
"If mayors and their regions are to be seen as respected partners of government, we need to be treated like grown-ups and involved in trade-offs which affect our regions," Ward said in a statement. "I understand that everywhere will need to contribute so that we can be safe in a less certain world. What I cannot understand is why the only region being asked to lose £900m of investment into its roads is the East Midlands – that is not equitable and fails to recognise the decades of underinvestment that have preceded today's decision."
The government's "Defence Investment Plan Funding explainer" outlines that £700 million will be reallocated from the Department of Transport's road funding. The plan indicates that the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) will face consultations regarding reductions, potentially including the cancellation of the A38 Derby Junctions and A46 Newark Bypass schemes. These projects have not yet entered into contracts and are not as advanced as other road initiatives.
Ward emphasized that the East Midlands is committed to contributing to national security and possesses strengths in the defence sector, which it intends to invest in alongside the government. However, she argued that effective support for the defence industry relies on robust infrastructure, including adequate roads for workforce access, supply chains, and trade. Underinvestment in these areas, she warned, could undermine the defence sector.
"The East Midlands will play its part in delivering a safer world – we have strengths in defence and will be investing into those alongside the government. But people working in defence need good roads so that their staff can get to work, access their supply chains, and trade. We will not serve our defence sector well if we underinvest into its enabling infrastructure," Ward stated.
She urged ministers to identify contributions from other regions and alternative spending areas, rather than solely from road investments in the East Midlands. The Department for Transport is expected to conduct stakeholder consultations before any final decisions are made regarding the proposed reductions to RIS3.
