WAR OF WORDS AS PLYMOUTH AND DEVON ARE EXCLUDED

THE Government has been criticised for leaving Plymouth and Devon out of its recent announcement on transport investment.

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

There was no mention of the far South West when Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves committed £15.bn for transport projects across areas of England.

The West of England region, near Bristol, was included, as were Greater Manchester, the Midland and Yorkshire. But business leaders and opposition politicians complained the area had been overlooked.

Plymouth’s Lib Dems were among those saying that Plymouth and Devon had been forgotten. But city Labour MP Luke Pollard said that cash for transport improvements in the area would be looked at in future - and come when a new strategic regional authority is set up, with an elected mayor covering Plymouth and Devon.