Delivering on the Shipley Eastern Bypass is still a priority for government an MP has been told – as he urged the new Transport Secretary to pledge his support for the much-needed scheme.

Former Prime Minister Theresa May and former Transport Secretary Chris Grayling both backed the scheme and said they were committed to ensuring it went ahead.

Shipley MP Philip Davies said he wanted assurances from the new administration under Boris Johnson that commitment was still there.

Speaking in Parliament Mr Davies said: “The Government led by Theresa May was very supportive of a Shipley Eastern Bypass and paid for a feasibility study with a specific intention to complete the bypass when the feasibility study had ended. Can the leader of the House arrange for the Secretary of State for Transport to come and make a statement to the House so he can hopefully re-state this government’s commitment to building a Shipley Eastern Bypass?”

Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “What a great place Shipley is. I had the huge joy of visiting Shipley to campaign for the Prime Minister to become leader of the Conservative Party earlier this year and it is brilliantly represented by my Hon friend (Philip Davies). I will pass on his message to the Secretary of State for Transport because I am sure we want to follow in the excellent footsteps of the Right Honourable member for Maidenhead (Theresa May).

Mr Davies has been calling for a Shipley eastern bypass since it was first mooted in the Airedale plan years ago. He says the area is one of the most congested parts of the UK and schemes such as the bypass should be being prioritised not over-priced projects such as HS2.

He added: “I am delighted this Government is committed to delivering on the bypass which we desperately need. I am very grateful Theresa May’s government paid for the feasibility study to move things along and now we need to push ahead and get this scheme delivered for my constituents."