Priti Patel MP chairs business meeting with Transport Secretary
Witham MP, Priti Patel, chaired a meeting of the Essex Chambers of Commerce Business, Transport and Infrastructure Forum on Monday evening with the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling MP, as guest speaker [4 February 2019].
The meeting was well attended by a number of Essex businesses and the Transport Secretary provided an update on the transport investment taking place in Essex at present. The meeting was also an opportunity for Priti and local businesses to press the Transport Secretary on future investment and transport priorities in Essex, including improvements to the A12 and A120 and rail investment on the Great Eastern Main Line and West Anglia route.
Speaking after the meeting, Priti said:
“I was delighted to welcome the Transport Secretary to our meeting of the Essex Business, Transport and Infrastructure Forum and I am grateful to him for outlining the progress of the current transport projects taking place across our great County.
“Investment in our transport infrastructure is the key to unlocking the full potential of our County by helping businesses compete in a growing economy and in global markets. Given Essex’s strategic location, with ports and airports, our businesses are keen to lead the way in establishing future trade and export opportunities.
“The Transport Secretary acknowledged the need for investment in our region and also committed to come back to me with further details about the proposals for improvements to the A12 and A120. I look forward to hearing from him in due course.”
Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce said:
“As the state of our road and rail network in Essex is something that businesses are always raising with us we were delighted to be able to take those concerns direct to the Secretary of State, Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP.”
“We had a very thorough discussion on a range of topics and are grateful to him for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet Chamber members. We look forward to inviting him to Essex later this year to see some of the issues we raised first hand.”