Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage put local transport issues at the top of the agenda today as she hosted Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin MP, in her constituency.
Prior to a driving tour of the peninsula, the Secretary of State took part in a meeting with Caroline and local stakeholders to discuss the future of transport infrastructure in the Gosport area.
Caroline also took the opportunity to show the Transport Secretary the successful Network Rail apprentice training programme at HMS Sultan, as well as the expanding Maritime Coastguard Agency base at Daedalus.
Speaking after the visit, Caroline said:
"With less than half a job for every working adult, the number of people commuting out of Gosport is extremely high, creating vast amounts of congestion at peak times. Since I was elected, I've worked hard to bring this to the attention of my Ministerial colleagues, and I am delighted that the Secretary of State has now seen for himself what drivers face on a daily basis.
Following the recent consultation on the proposed Stubbington Bypass, my Council colleagues and I were able to put forward the case for a new road which would significantly reduce traffic on the existing roads in and out of Gosport. I hope that the Secretary of State will recognise the huge potential of this project and report back to his Department accordingly."
Today's meeting follows Transport Minister, Norman Baker's visit to Gosport in March and the £8.5million package to enhance Newgate Lane that Caroline helped to secure.