A Stoke-on-Trent MP says it was 'regrettable but inevitable' that plans to reopen Meir Station were shelved by the Labour government.

The previous Conservative government had announced that the project, proposed as part of the Restoring Your Railway (RYR) programme, would go ahead with funding diverted from the second phase of HS2.

But in July Labour scrapped RYR, saying that a public spending audit had revealed nearly £800 million of 'unfunded' transport projects. The Department for Transport is now carrying out a review of capital spending programme, including individual RYR schemes.

Allison Gardner, Labour MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, has now defended the government's decision, saying the commitment to reopen Meir Station was an 'empty promise' aimed at winning votes. The Meir Station plans had been backed by Dr Gardner's Tory predecessor Jack Brereton, as well as Meir South's Conservative councillor Faisal Hussain, who had asked her to clarify her position on the issue.

The former Minister for State at the Department for Transport previously visited Meir with former MP, Jack Brereton (LDRS).

In an open letter published on her Facebook page, Dr Gardner said she supported the reopening of the station, but as part of a 'properly funded, integrated transport service'.

She said: "As you know, this scheme was put forward on the back of the last government's sudden decision to scrap the second phase of high speed rail. But it was an empty promise made without a long-term analysis of the financial risks or as part of any wider, joined up transport strategy for the city.

"In short, it was calculated to elicit popularity – and votes. Even its sponsors in the last Tory government only ever indicated their preliminary approval, postponing a final decision to a later, unspecified date, knowing it would be inherited by a new government.

"It fell to the incoming Labour government to assess the case, along with many other unfunded promises made by the last Tory government. Its demise, was, therefore, regrettable but inevitable once the truth dawned about the huge hole in our public finances."

Dr Gardner said Labour was now focusing on improving local bus services, which she claimed had suffered 'catastrophic damage' under the Conservatives.

Cllr Hussain criticised Dr Gardner for not challenging the government over Meir Station (Image supplied).

Cllr Hussain criticised Dr Gardner for not challenging the government over Meir Station, saying the project had the support of local people and could have made a real difference to the local are.

He said: "I'm actually shocked that she has not put up a fight against the government on this. Meir Station would have opened up many opportunities for the area which have not been taken into consideration in the letter.

"For those who don't have a car, being able to travel within Stoke and beyond and to those who wanted to seek opportunities like work or education where buses wouldn't be able to get them there quick enough. Despite this, it's pretty clear from her letter that Meir Station has been cancelled.

"Meir is one of the most deprived areas in Stoke and I, along with many of my residents hoped for a positive outcome. But it's definitely clear that under Labour we have simply gone back to square one."

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