North East Mayor Urges Government to Invest in the Region

National World - LocalTV

She warned that major ambitions, like reopening the Leamside railway line or creating 20,000 green energy jobs across the region’s rivers and ports, would only be possible with serious financial backing from Whitehall.

Transcript

00:00The words from North East Mayor Kim McGuinness were direct and uncompromising as she marked one year since her election,

00:07calling out what she described as 14 years of rubbish and decline, and demanding urgent government investment in the region.

00:14Elected last May to represent more than 2 million people across Northumberland, Tynumwea and County Durham,

00:20Miss McGuinness said she understood why so many people felt frustrated and left behind.

00:25She said,

00:26You go into communities in our region and you can feel it. It's like decision after decision has been made not to invest here.

00:33Her message to Westminster was clear. Promises were no longer enough. Government listening now has to mean delivery.

00:40In her first year in office, McGuinness has launched a series of initiatives under the new North East Devolution Deal.

00:47These included plans to bring the region's bus network under public control, a new childcare grant to help lift families out of poverty,

00:53and targeted investments in local infrastructure, such as saving the Shields Ferry and revitalising South Shields Town Centre.

01:02However, her first year has also been marked by deep frustration with the government.

01:06She pointed to a lack of support for key infrastructure projects, such as the restoration of the Tyned Bridge,

01:12the cancelled duelling of the A1 in Northumberland, and the ongoing crisis over the crumbling Gateshead flyover.

01:18I know the fiscal inheritance was difficult, she said, but that's no excuse.

01:23The North East hasn't seen enough investment, and I'm determined we'll get more.

01:28On the Tyned Bridge, she was adamant.

01:30Make no mistakes, we will get that money. It's not acceptable that we don't.

01:35We've got to change the system, she said, because it's failing our region.

01:39It's time for real change and for the North to finally get its fair share.

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