Yesterday (Weds) the Chancellor unveiled his Autumn Statement – the outline of funding commitments that will undoubtedly shape the future of our local economy.
The biggest news for our area was revealed earlier this week as millions of pounds worth of funding was committed to two key transport routes in the region.
The LEP has been campaigning for some time for vital upgrades to both the A428 and A47; two significant routes that are barriers to the continued economic growth of our area. News that funding to improve these roads has been committed by Government has therefore been welcomed by the team.
The remaining single carriageway section of the A428 between the Black Cat Roundabout and Caxton Gibbet will be dualled, with upgrades including significant improvements to the A1 Black Cat roundabout to ease traffic flows and overcome congestion.
In total 10,000 additional homes and jobs are currently planned along the A428 route between Cambridge and St Neots meaning the upgrading of this single carriageway element of the road is critical for the continued growth of our area.
Looking further north, Government has also committed funding to:
- The creation of a new, larger junction linking the A47 at Guyhirn with the A141
- Dualling the A47 between Wansford and Sutton East, connecting this formerly single carriageway road with the dual carriageway section west of Peterborough.
In addition to these funding commitments, Government have confirmed investment into two Strategic Studies in our area. One for the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway, and a second for the A1 East of England.
Neil Darwin, Interim Chief Executive of the LEP, explains: “We are delighted that the Government has committed funding to upgrade the remaining single carriageway element of the A428 and starting work on making the A47 fit for purpose. Upgrading the A428 and A47 were both highlighted as a priorities in our Strategic Economic Plan, with works to the A428 unlocking 10,000 additional new homes and jobs.”
“The improvements to the A47 are a welcome start to help overcome some of the challenges this key East-West route currently presents to the growth of our local economy. This funding, coupled with that secured via the first round of our Growth Deal, marks an important step forward in the future of the A47.”
“We are committed to providing the right conditions for growth across our area, overcoming key barriers to growth and ensuring our area continues to grow.”
In addition to these major infrastructure announcements, funding has been committed to install new technology on the M11 between Junction 8 for Stansted Airport and Junction 14 for the Cambridge – Girton Interchange. The technology will include emergency roadside telephones, signals on slip roads, Motorway Incident Detection and Automatic Signalling, Variable Message Signs, CCTV cameras and new gantries.
The Autumn Statement contained good news for more than just roads, with the Government committing to build new homes at the proposed new town of Northstowe to get the development underway. Located north-west of Cambridge, Northstowe is well located on the route of the Guided Busway and close to the A14.
Neil added: “We understand that our area needs new homes to support our continued economic growth. The Government’s commitment to kick-starting the delivery of new homes at Northstowe will help to ensure we have the right workforce to meet the needs of our local businesses both today and in the future.”
For our Universities and students, the Government has revealed new loans to enable University students to complete a one year masters following their graduation to meet the demands of employers calling for better qualified graduates.
You can read the full Autumn Statement here.
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