Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, has once again raised the need for changes to be made to the A5 with the Secretary of State for Transport as part of ongoing campaign to improve local infrastructure.
This follows a meeting between Dr Evans and the Roads Minister, Richard Holden, the week prior in which the local MP raised issues with the Watling Street bridge following figures showing the bridge is hit on average every two weeks.
Dr Evans has repeatedly raised the strategic importance of the A5 and the economic impact that unlocking the potential of the road would have on the region, calling the A5 a “straitjacket on growth and prosperity in our area.”
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament, asked “The A5 acts as a constriction for prosperity, growth and housing in our area. Four points on the A5 were pinpointed as being narrow.
“Can he let me know where they were, as National Highways said it would do that? And can he give an indication of how I can move National Highways forward to try to release the strangulation on our area?”
Mark Harper, Secretary of State for Transport, responded “Between the M42 and M6, the A5 is a key artery for business and motorists and, as [the Member for Bosworth] says, it is integral to local growth plans.
“National Highways continues to develop options to upgrade the route, as part of the pipeline of its potential future schemes, including considering measures that address stretches of the route where safety issues are of greatest concern, such as the pinch points that he talks about.
“Outputs from that work will feed into priorities for future investment strategies.”
Speaking after his question in the Commons, Dr Evans said “Already improved stretches of the A5, like Cannock Chase to Tamworth and the Eastern Section which passes Rugby, have seen economic and strategic benefits since the road has been dualled. Our area is at risk of falling behind without provision made for the A5 in the next investment strategy.
“A recent survey by Midlands Connect showed that over 80% of people polled across Hinckley, Nuneaton and Rugby support improvements to the A5 and believe it would be important to local residents.
“I will keep calling for changes to the A5, including to the Watling Street bridge, both locally and down in Westminster.”
