MP is running West Yorkshire again

It is difficult to imagine an area with more undeveloped potential than northern England. The North is rich in talent, creativity and culture. However, the past decade has been characterized by underinvestment and unmet promises.

Once again, conservatives have insisted on commitment to “leveling” and “Northern Powerhouse” and allocated significant resources to the North. However, they continued to oversee the investments towards London and the Southeast.

Nothing symbolizes this lack of funds than our creaking transportation system. In Shipley's constituency and beyond, our daily commutes rely on infrastructure dating back to the Victorian era.

Every week I talk to residents of Baildon. Baildon is unhappy with the reduction in services at local train stations created under the previous government. We hear from people in villages around Bingley who are justly angry at the rare bus service. Shipley members have expressed their anger over the rise in rail fares.

Shipley MP Anna Dixon (Image: Submitted)

The new labour government emphasizes its commitment to energizing economic growth, and I believe unlocking the potential of the North will be an important part of this effort. The rebuilding of the UK requires modernising its transport infrastructure, and I was excited to hear the Prime Minister outline the government's vision to strengthen regional rail services last month.

On a trip to West Yorkshire, Kielstarmer announced more than £400 million in funding to improve the railway link between Huddersfield, Manchester, Leeds and York. This is new money, and in addition to game-changing investments, the government is already committed to upgrading and electrifying the Transpennine route.

But I think the most transformative announcement for my constituents is that local leaders will receive an additional £1 billion to enhance regional transport. The investment will support projects that include West Yorkshire's planned mass transport system.

West Yorkshire mass transport system under planning (Image: WYCA) The debate about the new modern tram network between Leeds and Bradford has been ongoing for decades and decades. But in just a few months, this labour government has successfully navigated the widespread deficits conservatives have spent years and together with our fantastic mayor of West Yorkshire, they have developed a funded, practical plan to introduce mass transport into our area.

But as the Prime Minister said during the announcement, transportation investments aren't just an upgrade to our hard infrastructure. “The impact is human. Not only is it working late and its inspiration, it also has important NHS appointments, family involvement and funerals that people are trying to reach.”

I spoke with locals in the constituency who missed a work meeting and had to cancel their appointments because their children arrived late at school and were disappointed by public transport. These are the real-world impacts of over a decade of underinvestment and lack of childbirth.

Under the new plan of workers, we now spend more than twice as much money per head on local transport north of the south than in the south, including London. This will help local businesses thrive. Our community is more connected and our towns are rejuvenating.

However, all of this important investment is only important if it is possible to ensure that the rail service is carried out effectively and efficiently. Entering last year's general election, cancellations were record highs and service satisfaction was at an all-time low. That's why we have pledged to put passengers at the heart of our service by reforming the railway and leading them to public ownership. And we waste time on this promise, passing the law last fall, bringing the railroad back to the public as contracts with existing operators expired.

These actions support Tracy Bravin and West Yorkshire's efforts, combined authority to regain local control of the bus, marking the most important overhaul of our local transport network in decades. This change will allow us to restore mandatory bus routes and provide passengers with more reliable and affordable services.

It's an era when Tories make profits for private companies before passengers are finished. Under labour, the North will not only receive the most important upgrades to the generational transport infrastructure, but will also be owned and operated by people.

For the nine months I have spent so far representing the people of the Shipley Congressional district, it was great to see the new Labour government delivering and cracking its manifesto promises. And by giving the North a fair share and investing in our region, we can fulfill our pledge to re-grow the economy in all parts of the country, and spend more money on the pockets of Shipley constituency workers.