Nottinghamshire County Council Leader Coun Kay Cutts has welcomed the news that the long-awaited dualling of the A453 has been given the final go-ahead.
Roads minister Mike Penning announced the decision on the public enquiry on the A453, which was held in November 2009.
Work will now begin within weeks on preparatory work, with main engineering work set to begin next winter. The scheme is expected to be completed in late 2014, early 2015. Work had originally not been due to begin until after 2015.
The Government confirmed funding for the improvement to the A453 in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement. However, this was subject to completion of statutory planning and order making processes. The scheme has now cleared this stage after the Minister accepted an independent Inspector's recommendation following the public inquiry that the scheme orders should be made.
“This is absolutely marvellous and is the news we’ve been waiting for for a long time,” said Coun Cutts.
“I am absolutely delighted that the Secretary of State has given the go-ahead and that work will now begin on this vital piece of infrastructure which will bring huge benefits to the Nottinghamshire economy.”
"The A453 is the weakest link in the regional road network and, in its current state, is severely limiting the economic recovery and development of the area.
“To the region as a whole it has been estimated that its improvement would bring a boost to the economy of £540m.
“I would like to thank the government for bringing this important scheme forward and recognising how important it is to Nottinghamshire and the wider East Midlands economy as a whole.
"Credit is also due to the local business community who have campaigned consistently for many years for the A453 to be improved.
“I personally cannot wait to see work commence and be among the first to drive along the new road once it is completed. This is fantastic news for everyone in Nottinghamshire.”
Congestion
The A453 is one of the most congested roads in the country and costs larger businesses as much as £100,000 a year because of increased fuel usage, lack of access to customers, abandoned journeys and accident costs.
To the region as a whole, it has been estimated that an improved A453 would bring a boost to the economy of £540m.
Other A453 facts and figures:
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The Nottinghamshire section of the road is the second most congested part of the national road network after a short section of the M25
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Scheme to dual the road has already been subject to a public enquiry and subject to the secretary of state's decision would effectively be 'ready to go'
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Without the widening scheme, it is forecast that up to 30,000 vehicles a day will travel along the route by 2027, making congestion even worse
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In the five years up to October 2010, there were 185 accidents involving personal injury on just the Nottinghamshire part of the A453.
Timetable
The current timeline for work is as follows:
- advanced site clearance and accommodation works to start summer 2012
- main civil engineering works set to begin during winter 2012/13
- completion in late 2014/early 2015.
The cost of the scheme is estimated to be between of £141m and £194m, with Nottinghamshire County Council contributing £20m and Rushcliffe Borough Council £500,000.
As well as dealing with long-standing congestion and safety problems on the A453, the scheme will improve access to East Midlands Parkway station, and the Enterprise Zone at Beeston.
Make your voice heard
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