East Midlands mayoral candidate: Ben Bradley

Ben Bradley is standing as a candidate for the Conservatives

People living in the East Midlands Combined County Authority (the four local authorities of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire) will elect their first regional mayor on 2 May. Here's what you need to know about all of the candidates and their top priorities.

Ben Bradley says he is 'keen to fix some local challenges'

He is currently leader of Nottinghamshire County Council and the Conservative MP for Mansfield, but says if elected as mayor, it would be his only job.

Born and raised in Derbyshire and schooled in Derby, he says his work in the region has helped him understand "there are lots of things we need investment in".

He says he has played a prominent role in establishing the very authority that he is now standing to be leader of.

"I've worked to secure that £4bn investment, I've worked to build this organisation that can deliver it, and I'd like to be the mayor to see that through," he said.

He says he wants to 'deliver a major road resurfacing investment'

Mr Bradley says roads are "one of residents' key priorities" and, if elected, he would begin a new programme of resurfacing works within the first 100 days.

He already has responsibility for maintaining roads in Nottinghamshire in his role as county council leader, but says "we just haven't got the money".

"I've spent the last 12 or 18 months not grumbling about it, but going and trying to find the money, negotiating with government, and we've secured what's basically a four-fold increase in the funding to sort it out," he says.

He has 'four key transport priorities'

As well as resurfacing roads, Mr Bradley wants to improve the local bus network and "fill the gaps" by expanding on-demand services.

He says he wants to deliver new rail projects "where we've had opportunities for years, sometimes decades, to open new lines" and improve "active travel" with more cycling and walking routes.

He says he wants to create jobs and 'build a skilled workforce'

Mr Bradley says his other priority is economic development, and he wants to work more with the private sector to bring in funding and investment.

He adds the mayor has the clout to talk to ministers about "what else they want to deliver".

"I'll go back to government and get us more powers and more funding passed down," he says.

He wants to buy Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station

The coal-fired power station is due to shut in September, and has been earmarked for redevelopment.

Mr Bradley says he wants to buy the site in order to "make sure the full benefit of that investment comes back to the public".

He adds he thinks a solution can be found to Nottingham's derelict Broadmarsh site within the first term as mayor.