Last week was Conservative Party Conference. Most eye-catching of the headlines was that the Prime Minister rightly decided to scrap the extension of HS2.

A revolution in the country’s transport infrastructure will see billions of pounds redirected from spiralling HS2 costs to build the daily connections that people depend on.

Here in Devon, the reopening of the Dartmoor Line to Okehampton and the new station at Marsh Barton have been major successes. But we must do more to bring substantial benefits to our county. 

So, as the PM said, scrapping the HS2 extension means that every region will receive investment in the modes of transport that matter most. 

Following my dedicated campaign which has included meetings with the Chancellor, Transport Secretary and Rail Minister, I welcome the fantastic news that Cullompton is getting its own dedicated railway station thanks to this Conservative government. As a Devon MP and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Great South West, I know how important the local transport network is to our county's success. I'm looking forward to seeing the work begin.

For the South West, what the PM announced also included: funding to make the vital Exeter to Plymouth rail line more resilient in the face of extreme weather; a new station at Tavistock, connecting it with Plymouth; access to £2.8 billion roads resurfacing fund to combat potholes; and a further £1 billion fund for new road schemes around the South West, South East, and East of England. The popular £2 bus fare will be extended until December 2024.

As regular readers will know, multi-million-pound government funding will deliver the Dinan Way road extension in Exmouth to improve journeys and cut congestion. Exmouth residents are eager to see the construction work begin – as am I!

Funding is secured, so spades in the ground must swiftly follow. No more so is this the case than in building the new state-of-the-art school to replace the flood-risk Tipton St John Primary School. Following my recent visit with government officials, a new school is being prioritised for delivery once a suitable site is found.