The region’s council leaders have been talking to passengers at Hull Paragon Interchange about the Hull and East Yorkshire devolution proposal and the benefits it could bring for transport.
Cllr Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, and Cllr Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, were taking part in the latest public engagement event as part of the eight-week devolution consultation.
Council devolution experts and volunteers from HEY! Volunteering were also on hand to give out questionnaires and answer questions from people passing through the station.
Speaking at the interchange, Cllr Ross said: “Transport and rail electrification is a major part of our devolution proposal and it’s really encouraging that we’ve been able to get a commitment from the government during this process.
“It’s something that this area has needed for a long time.”
Cllr Handley said the devolution deal offered an opportunity to build a transport network that works for everyone.
She said: “Currently, we have one train every two hours direct to London, which is not acceptable. We need to improve our transport infrastructure to better serve our community.
“Everyone wants to talk about roads. Well the devolution deal also gives us money for infrastructure, including our roads.
“Also, the East Riding is a huge rural area, and we really, really struggle with our buses.
“So, that will be something that we’re hopefully going to be working with Hull City Council on, an integrated transport plan that works for all of us.”
Before the Paragon event, the leaders took part in a Radio Humberside discussion about the devolution proposal.
Listen to the Radio Humberside discussion on BBC Sounds (until March 7 2024)
The Hull and East Yorkshire devolution consultation runs until Tuesday 27 February.
Cllr Handley encouraged people to come along to the in-person consultation events that are being held across the region.
She said: “Please, please, please, come and see us, come and talk to us.
“There’s lots of myths out there, and we would like to speak to all our residents, or as many residents as we possibly can.”
Cllr Ross added: “Our response rates so far are encouraging, but there are only a few weeks left for this consultation, so it’s vital that the public continues to have their say. We want to hear more of your feedback.”
To see the full list of events, find out more about devolution and complete the consultation survey, visit heydevolution.com
