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Harrogate MP urges Government: "Don't abandon North Yorkshire"

Tuesday, 24 June 2025 13:50

Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon has called on the Government to "unlock growth" in York and North Yorkshire.

In Parliament today (Tuesday), Tom questioned last week’s "disappointing" spending review.

Tom said that the review, whilst offering money to the North of England, including West and South Yorkshire, failed to provide any meaningful funding for North Yorkshire.

He is campaigning to see the railway line through Harrogate and Knaresborough - known as the “Harrogate line” - electrified and fully dualled.

Currently, most of the line between Knaresborough and York only has one track, leading to bottlenecks and frequent delays.

Tom said:

“Last week’s announcement fell well short of acceptable. Too often Governments have simply left whole areas behind, and this Government has so far indicated that that’s exactly their plan too.”

The Minister responded to Tom by saying that the Government was investing in all forms of transport, across the country and particularly in the North and Midlands.

However, Tom was unimpressed.

Tom said:

“We were told a Labour mayor would mean the ear of the Government – and proper investment as a result. That’s clearly not the case.

“The Government saying they’re investing in the North and Midlands is welcome – but that’s an area of more than 25 million people.

“We need to see equal investment across that area – not the Government picking and choosing who gets it.

“North Yorkshire has so much potential – but we’re being left at the starting line.

“That’s why I’m urging the Government to engage with me to improve connectivity and get Harrogate and Knaresborough the investment and support it deserves."

He added:

“Over the last few years, there have been far too many promises that have turned out to be entirely hollow. That must change.

“I will fight for my constituents in Harrogate and Knaresborough to get the fair deal they deserve.”

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