Jubilation as road is cleared for upgrade

Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber is delighted with news that work on dualling the A46 between Newark and Widmerpool could begin next year, part of an extra £1bn to be invested in major transport projects intended to stimulate the economy.

A £700m package was announced in the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report to improve rail and road networks, as well as £300m of new funding to bring forward delivery of improved transport links to key UK airports and ports.

The Chamber and the Evening Post have campaigned long and hard on the specific issue of the A46, with the Chamber researching the background and briefing local MPs to raise the matter directly.

President Phil Stanyer said: "Many people, including the Chamber, have put in a lot of hard work to get this to happen. This is very good news for the region as it opens up the possibility of accelerated economic development and greater wealth creation.

"This stretch is the only section that has not been improved to modern standards and is the missing link between Lincoln and Leicester and the M1. The road is of strategic significance to east-west and interregional transport links, access to East Midlands Airport (a major national freight hub), Robin Hood Airport, the Humber ports and access to the wider motorway network.

"The Newark/Widmerpool stretch of the A46 has a poor safety record and is often very congested.  It carries up to 25,300 vehicles a day, 15 per cent of which are heavy goods vehicles. The mix and level of traffic, which includes significant movements of agricultural machinery, gives rise to frequent congestion and delay."

According to the Department for Transport work could now start two years early, subject to the outcome of statutory processes and funding confirmation from the region. The scheme could be open in late 2011 rather than 2016 as was planned.

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