Mayor pushes transport plan at meeting with PM

Lincolnshire's mayor has spoken to the prime minister about a need for greater investment in transport and infrastructure.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns said it was one of several issues she raised during a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer and other mayors at Lancaster House, London, on Friday.

The prime minister urged regional leaders to drive growth in their areas.

Sir Keir said trade deals with the EU and India, as well as a tariffs deal with the US, would have a "big impact" on Lincolnshire industries, including farming and steel.

Dame Andrea made transport one of the key pillars of her election campaign by pledging to create "Transport for Greater Lincolnshire", with investment in major roads such as the A15, A52 and A17, along with "proper integration between buses, trains and cars".

She said the "very conciliatory" meeting with Sir Keir also included discussions about the agri-foods sector, "upskilling" the economy and "often forgotten coastal communities".

"I'll work with whoever possible to ensure we push the Reform agenda and we get money and investment into Lincolnshire," she added.

Sir Keir told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he had asked the mayors about "how we can improve their regions, including Lincolnshire".

When asked about local leaders' claims that the county is underfunded and ignored by Whitehall, he promised it would feel the benefit from agreements with other nations.

"Sometimes deals sound dry and won't be talked about in the pub or the high street, but they will have a big impact," Sir Keir said.

"Lincolnshire has 39,000 manufacturing jobs and 100,000 in the food sector so this is hugely important.

"The deals gets rid of red tape for those industries, making it cheaper and quicker to export."

He said the UK-US tariff deal would be a lifeline for British Steel in Scunthorpe, after US tariffs on steel were reduced from 25% to zero.

The prime minister rejected a claim by Martin Hill, the Conservative former leader of Lincolnshire County Council, that the government was "hostile" to rural areas.

Sir Keir said the new deal with the EU would help farmers "hugely" by making it "easier and cheaper to sell to the EU".

Meanwhile, Dame Andrea said she was planning to form a new trades college in Lincolnshire to train people in plumbing, building and other roles that she said were in demand, but in short supply.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.