08 Jun Lower Thames Crossing: Stephen Metcalfe MP asks the Prime Minister about the personal sacrifice of constituents
Stephen Metcalfe, Member of Parliament for South Basildon and East Thurrock, asked the Prime Minister about the personal sacrifice constituents make when agencies build new national infrastructure projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing. Click here to watch
The question to the Prime Minister during PMQs (06/06/18) follows on from regular conversations about the Lower Thames Crossing with Highways England and other Government agencies over developing plans.
Many constituents contact Stephen Metcalfe with their concerns over the environmental impacts such a large scale project will inevitably create, such as air quality through to noise and light pollution – all of which need to be addressed and mitigated against.
Stephen asked “Q11. As my right hon. Friend is aware, this Government are investing more in national infrastructure than any previous Government, from HS2 to the new Lower Thames crossing. However, we must never forget the personal sacrifice that people are asked to make to allow these projects to progress. Will she therefore remind the various Government agencies involved that they have a duty of care to our constituents and that they should ensure that no one is materially disadvantaged or physically harmed in the name of investment?
The Prime Minister replied “My hon. Friend makes two important points: the first is the importance and significance of the investment that is being put into infrastructure across the country; and the second is of course that, as we do that—when we are putting in place these large infrastructure projects—we must make sure that they are planned in consultation with, and with sympathy towards, local communities. Of course, as we see with the proposals for Heathrow, for example, that does come with a significant compensation package for those people who will be personally affected.”
