The Secretary of State for Transport announced that Derbyshire County Councils application for Government funds to build a new station for Ilkeston is a step closer. Local and County Conservatives have long advocated that Ilkeston should have a station. Since taking power at County Hall Conservatives have worked diligently with Officers to deliver a robust strategy and package to bring a new train station to Ilkeston; the largest town in England without one.

Derbyshire Labour spent 28 years writing ineffectual letters without having any real strategy to deliver a station, which they dubiously called a 'campaign'.

Only the Conservatives had a real strategic approach with an investment package and detailed proposal that delivered a real difference to, not just the town but to the region. Not yet more stagnation.

Cllr Spencer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways said,

“This is a real milestone for Derbyshire and in particular Ilkeston and the Erewash area and brings us a good deal closer to delivering a train station that will bring regeneration, sustainable transport and do something real about reducing congestion. I’m delighted that the Conservative administration was able to do something real for the people of Ilkeston.”

Local Labour members, led by Chair of Erewash Labour Helen Clark have been queuing to attempt to take the credit whilst simultaneously dismissing the announcement as Tory propaganda on the eve of the election!

Cllr Spencer added,

“I find it remarkable the two-faced position taken by the ineffectual local opposition whose 28 years in power led only to stagnation and inaction; yet they have now come out of the woodwork to claim the credit.

I have to say, because I’m not from Ilkeston myself, I am delighted that this clear Conservative aspiration for this area is about to be delivered and I know it is down to the hard work of local Conservative Councillors, working with Derbyshire County Council and their local MP Jessica Lee that have got us to this point.”