Dr Luke Evans, MP for Bosworth, continued his campaign to raise the much needed improvements on the A5, this time in speaking as one of the Members of Parliament present in a debate on the A5. With many constituents who live along the A5 corridor concerned, this was a chance to yet again raise the issue and get a direct response from Government Minister Trudy Harrison. This speech was part of a wider ongoing campaign with fellow local A5 MPs to lobby the Government for much needed improvements to local infrastructure.
Local councils surrounding the 53 mile-stretch at the heart of the debate, which is currently home to nearly 3 million people and supports over 1.3 million jobs, anticipate that their Local Plans will bring forward 103,000 new homes and an additional 16,000 jobs in the next 15 to 20 years. The MPs fear this will place additional burden on the A5 which is already struggling to meet the needs of those who currently use the road.
Productivity is a key issue along the A5 corridor, with the road’s efficiency being lower than the UK average as journeys can take 36% longer in peak periods. A critical incident, as defined by National Highways, happens every eight weeks causing a five-hour delay on average. A contributor to this is the Watling Street bridge – previously the most bashed bridge in Britain – where an incident occurred every two weeks last year.
Local politicians have been calling for improvements to the A5 for a number of years, with fears mounting that the long-awaited dualling of the road means the area risks losing out on a large amount of economic growth. The A5 corridor currently creates £22 billion in gross value added each year, but without the necessary improvements “it is acting as a straitjacket to our economic growth and prosperity” said Dr Luke Evans, MP for Bosworth.
Dr Luke and Trudy Harrison, Minister for Transport, visited the MIRA Enterprize Zone last year as part of the Government’s Levelling Up tour, during which the Bosworth MP demonstrated the importance of the innovation that is happening on site and the potential for future growth in the area.
Dr Luke Evans said “In August 2021 the long-awaited Dodwells island to Longshoot dual carriageway, promised in 2014, was scrapped. To the people of Hinckley and Bosworth and the surrounding areas, that felt like a body blow. However we pledged to fight on. As part of the Government’s Second Road Investment Strategy (RIS2) £20 million in funding was secured for the road. While progress is being made as we successfully passed through Ministerial Decision Point 1 for RIS3 this month, I will keep driving this issue forward in Westminster.
“If we get the road right we will have housing, businesses, growth, Levelling Up and, above all, happiness.”
Trudy Harrison MP said “Efficient, reliable transport is a catalyst for enterprise and enables growth. Better connectivity means greater economic opportunity and all the benefits it delivers for communities… We recognise the vital importance of the A5 in supporting all aspects of the regional and national economy.”
Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby, who called for the debate in Westminster Hall, said “I hope we have persuaded the Minister of the strategic importance of improvements, and their impact on growth in an area that is very sympathetic to attracting businesses, new housing and other such developments.
“By investing in this road, central Government can help [local] councils to meet their growth needs by facilitating a safe, reliable, efficient and resilient A5.”
In a final response the Labour MP and Shadow Minister for Transport Mike Kane praised Dr Luke Evans for his “impassioned plea.”
“The hon. Gentleman was like some latter-day Henry Tudor on Bosworth field: ending the Plantagenet dynasty, slaying Richard III—the last King to go into battle—and making a plea for investment in his constituency. His was an eloquently framed speech.”
