The Member of Parliament for Lincoln, Karl McCartney MP, has heralded the positive nature of his latest meeting on the Lincoln Eastern Bypass, held earlier today with representatives of Lincolnshire County Council, North Kesteven District Council, the City of Lincoln Council and Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
The items on the Agenda that were discussed comprised an update on status of the Lincoln Eastern Bypass including the current position on dualling and the Public Inquiry on the Single Carriageway version.
The meeting was held in the wake of the assurances Karl has received from both Ministers and officials at the Department for Transport (DfT), that provision has been made to secure and “ring fence” the current funding in place for the Eastern Bypass within the DfT’s spending plans for the remainder of the current local authority major schemes programme. This ensures that the £50m from the DfT is in place and that the Single Carriageway build is as certain as can be. Karl has also subsequently been assured by BOTH the Secretary of State for Transport, Rt. Hon. Patrick McLoughlin MP and the Chancellor, The Rt. Hon. George Osborne MP, that, if, with the support of Lincolnshire County Council, there were to be a future bid from Greater Lincolnshire LEP for a dual carriageway, the Government would, in principle, support such a Scheme. This would, of course, be subject to the DfT complying with all statutory processes and procedures and of course the LEP and Lincolnshire County Council would expect a large proportion at least of the extra cost to come from Central Government sources. No doubt, as with the recently commenced East-West Link Road, the four Local Government organisations in and around Lincoln would also be willing to make modest investments to ensure the best outcome of this project for all concerned, whilst minimising any delays for its completion.
Karl’s efforts on continuing to seek to secure agreement and funding for a dual carriageway around the East of Lincoln were also formally endorsed at the North Kesteven District Council Full Council meeting held on 18 December 2014 where elected Members voted to support an early start for the building of the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and to ensure that the Scheme is dualled from the outset (SEE ATTACHED LETTER). Karl has also received very strong support for this course of action from the Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr. Jeff Summers.
Karl McCartney MP: “My thanks, as always, to the elected representatives and officers of all the local authorities present, as well those from the LEP, for attending this latest meeting on the Lincoln Eastern Bypass.
“We all agree that this Scheme is of the utmost importance to residents and businesses right across the County, as well as visitors to our City and County, and we are very grateful for the support we have received from Central Government who are supporting the building of a road that has been talked about in Lincoln for 90 plus years.
“I have always believed that we should dual the Eastern Bypass from the outset and I shall continue to work with the relevant local authorities, most of whom, it is heartening to know, are in full agreement with me on this issue.
“If by working together, we can overcome the obstacles that the proposal to dual the Bypass present, by the County Council’s own estimation, work on dualling could very well commence during the first half of 2017. In the meantime we will mutually support the current proposal. I understand that some County Councillors can be parochial and concerned with their own immediate sphere’s of influence; however, I truly believe that Lincoln is the heart of our County and with its two Universities, University Technical College, and many business sector leading companies, is the powerhouse of the County, but also fulfils a secondary role as the gateway to our County and all the attractions it has to offer. Other road projects across the County are of course somewhat important, but whether these are supported or not by their local Members of Parliament, I think we can all agree that, strategically, the Eastern Bypass is the priority for not only our County City – but our County as well.
“I can again assure the people of Lincoln and Lincolnshire that I shall continue to do everything within my power to ensure that our Bypass is dualled and built at the earliest opportunity. Of course, I look forward to considering this matter further at my Lincolnshire Transport Seminar this coming Friday.”
Transport Seminar - Friday, 30 January
This Friday, 30 January, Karl will also host the Lincolnshire Transport Seminar at The Assembly Rooms on Bailgate, Lincoln, on Friday, 30th January from 9.30am through to 4pm.
The day will be split into three main sections dealing with Rail, Road and then Park & Ride being the main catch all subjects for discussion. The event is open to everyone and costs just £15 which covers the cost of refreshments and lunch for those attending.
A draft agenda has been posted online at http://www.karlmccartney.co.uk/transport-seminar-2015 along with an application form to attend. Those unable to come along may order a copy of the written summary of the day for £5.
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For further information, please contact Karl McCartney MP at [email protected] / 020 7219 7221.