Time for the Government to invest in Rochdale's future

Councillor Richard Farnell, leader of Rochdale Borough Council

Councillor Richard Farnell, Rochdale's council leader, has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond requesting "significant investment" in the borough's roads and transport links.

Mr Hammond is expected to announce billions of pounds of new investment for infrastructure projects in his Autumn Statement on Wednesday.

Councillor Farnell has asked the chancellor to give priority to a number of major schemes in the borough: 

• Roads - a substantial increase in the council's grant to repair roads and pavements
• Kingsway Business Park - new loop road to link up with the Metrolink stop
• Heywood Junction 19 link road - extra funding to complete the road
• Middleton Metrolink extension – funding to speed up delivery of the project
• Roch Valley flood alleviation works - to help prevent flooding in Rochdale Town Centre
• Electrification of Calder Valley rail line. 

Councillor Farnell said: "Investment in the nation's roads is a disgrace. Spending on local roads will create much needed jobs, help tackle traffic queues and repair worn out streets.

"Investment in major transport schemes such as a new loop road on the Kingsway Business Park to free up more land for industry, extending the Metrolink into Middleton and extending the proposed link road from junction 19 of the M62 to the south Heywood business parks would all mean a massive boost and help create thousands of new jobs.

"Extra cash will also speed up flood alleviation works to help prevent a repeat of the Boxing Day floods, which devastated hundreds of homes and businesses.

"Electrification of the Calder Valley train line will improve passenger services to Manchester and Leeds.

"It is clear the Chancellor will be spending more on big investment projects to boost the economy. The north will benefit most from that investment. By spending a fair share in Rochdale he will not only create jobs but help build our economy and future prosperity.

"If the Government is serious about building the Northern Powerhouse it must back it up with serious investment. Rochdale is at the heart of the powerhouse and will benefit enormously from a growing northern economy."