Local authority transport schemes dominate the East of England’s recommendations for regional funding, at the expense of a number of Highways Agency-backed proposals.
The recommendations for funding include £70M for the Norwich northern distributor route, £51M for a bus-based rapid transit system in south Essex, and £22M for a transport overhaul in Ipswich – all scheduled to start before 2013/14.
The Luton town centre transport scheme (£22M) and Watford Junction Interchange (£26M) have also been recommended by the East of England Regional Assembly for regional transport funding over the same period.
However, the dualling of the A120, between Braintree and the A12, has not been included on the list. The estimated cost of the scheme is £500M, which is equal to half the funding available to the whole region over the next 10 years.
EERA chairman, Cllr John Reynolds, said: ‘We all want to see the A120 improved, but it is a whale in a small pond as far as the East of England is concerned. ‘The Government should look at national funding for the A120, rather than seeking money from a regional pot which is already vastly oversubscribed.’
A number of schemes already in development have been recommended for further funding, including the Cambridgeshire guided busway (£38.6M) and the Luton-Dunstable busway (£78.4M).Potential schemes for the 2013/14-2016/17 period include Harlow public transport improvements, and a Highways Agency scheme to improve the A12.
While welcoming £60M for the A12 upgrades, Essex County Council said the funding would not meet the recommendations put forward by the A12 inquiry, which called for the entire road to be upgraded.
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