Outgoing Transport Secretary Justine Greening was 'good for region'
NORTH East Lincolnshire MPs have praised outgoing Transport Secretary Justine Greening for the work she did on the review that led to the lowering of the Humber Bridge tolls.
Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers said she was "instrumental" in delivering the toll reduction, while Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell said she had been "good" for the region.
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Justine Greening has been made International Development Secretary in the government's cabinet reshuffle.
The MPs made their comments as Ms Greening was axed from her transport brief as part of the Prime Minister's long awaited reshuffle this week.
Although she continues to have a Cabinet job as International Development Secretary, she lost her transport role amid speculation her opposition to a third runway at Heathrow Airport was an obstacle to her remaining in the post.
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Mr Vickers said: "I am pleased with the overall thrust of the changes though disappointed that Justine no longer has a domestic job.
"Following her involvement with the Humber Bridge tolls issue she had a detailed knowledge of northern Lincolnshire and the opportunities we have here. She was instrumental in delivering the tolls reduction immediately grasping the impact a reduction could have on the local economy, something that has been clearly shown by the increase in usage."
Mr Mitchell added: "Justine was good to us in our area and was helpful on the Humber Bridge campaign so for that reason I will be sad to see her go."
Ms Greening oversaw the Treasury-led review into the Humber Bridge tolls, first in her role as Economic Secretary before being promoted to Transport Secretary, as reported.
She has been widely praised for helping to push through the review, which ultimately led to an announcement in March by the Chancellor George Osborne, who agreed to write off £150m of the Humber Bridge debt enabling the tolls to be reduced from £3 to £1.50 for cars.
Other than Ms Greening's move, Mr Vickers said he was pleased with many of the other Ministerial changes, while Mr Mitchell said it was a "kerfuffle" rather than a reshuffle.
Mr Vickers said: "I'm particularly pleased that Chris Grayling has gone to Justice. He'll be much more robust than Ken Clarke.
"It's also good to see Owen Paterson at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which he shadowed in the period up to the 2005 election.
"He carried out a comprehensive review of the Common Fisheries Policy which, at the time, found favour with the industry. It will be interesting to see how he approaches this issue.
"Jeremy Hunt will be good at health – he's a good communicator and extremely capable."
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