In the wake of news that two key road upgrades in the East have been cancelled – the A12 road widening near Chelmsford, and the dualling of the A47 in Cambridgeshire – LGE reminds the government that key transport investment is needed in the East if we want the whole country to grow.
The two projects, approved in January 2024, are crucial to stimulating housebuilding and growth across the region. It is especially regrettable that these schemes have fallen by the wayside just as the government has published its industrial strategy, a document which makes clear just how much the East of England could be contributing to the UK economy.
As outlined in our report, Opportunity East, our region is home to key high-value industries such as the life sciences sector and advanced manufacturing, and foundational industries essential for trade and logistics via our international gateways.
These schemes were also crucial for the development of housing in the East of England. The housing target for the region has been increased by 29%, and without crucial enabling infrastructure, it will be increasingly difficult to hit this target successfully.
In addition, the Secretary of State for Transport stated that the money saved from this scheme will be invested into roads in the North of England and the Midlands. While we have no doubt that these areas do need funding of their own, the East of England is already funded far less than the national average. According to ONS statistics the East of England receives £1,603 less in funding per person than the UK average – over £10bn less in total. This decision from the Government just further exacerbates an ongoing disparity in regional funding.
Cllr Graham Butland, Chair of LGE and Leader of Braintree Council, said the following:
“These are crucial projects to facilitate the planned growth government have told us we need to plan for. The new mandatory housing targets imposed on us by the Government have increased in the East by 29%. Without these essential road upgrades, it puts other key projects in doubt – improvements that were essential to unlock new housing and employment sites in our area.”
