Foord hosts final Parliamentary debate of 2023

Speaking for over 15 minutes, Mr Foord set out the case for building the long-promised Cullompton town centre relief road, a railway station and funding improvements at Junction 28. These would ease congestion in the town, make the town fit for cycling or walking, and reduce air pollution.

The current plans for the Culm Garden Village are at risk of stalling, as National Highways, Cullompton Town Council and now the MP will not endorse growing the town significantly until there is investment in local transport infrastructure.

In his remarks, Devon’s Lib Dem MP Richard Foord said that the relief road costs could easily be met by central Government and would deliver real benefit to both those living in and around the town, as well as those who commute to school or work.

Mid Devon District Council twice bid to the Government in Westminster for Levelling-up funding to enable the town centre relief road to advance, after securing £10million of funding from Homes England, but the bids were rejected each time. This has led to concern that the town is once again being overlooked.

Speaking after his debate in Parliament, Richard Foord said:

“It was a great honour to lead the final debate of the year in Parliament today, and to raise the lack of action that has dogged Cullompton, in terms of its local transport infrastructure.

“We cannot keep building houses without the appropriate infrastructure to support them. This includes GPs’ surgeries and schools, but it also includes transport infrastructure so that new road, cycle, and rail projects can ease congestion.

“We have seen little action from this Government to deliver on their promises. Mid Devon Council residents should complete the Devon County Council official consultation in relation to the Junction 28 and relief road options, and not get it confused with the recent party-political survey from the Conservatives.

“Everyone who gets snarled-up in the town - idling in traffic - knows who is to blame for their misery. I used my debate today to ask the Government to deliver the people of Cullompton the Christmas gift everyone has been requesting for years - and finally give the Cullompton town centre relief road the green light.

“I will continue to raise this issue and fight to deliver the road that the town desperately needs.”