Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Uttoxeter Echo. This column was originally featured in the 21st June print edition.
With the warmer weather now certainly here with long evenings, many of us look forward to getting home after work and making the most of the lighter evenings. However, sadly for residents in Burton and Uttoxeter that have to use the A50 as part of their commute, this is not guaranteed with regular delays to their journey.
Research undertaken by Midlands Connect last year found that these regular delays on the A50 and A500 in morning and evening peak periods amount to 2,760 hours per day, meaning almost 700,000 hours a year are lost due to delays on the whole A50/A500 corridor.
This is just one of the reasons that improvements to the A50 are a top priority for me and why, as Project Champion of the North Midlands Manufacturing Corridor, we must see the fruition of plans which would see the removal of the McDonald's and Derby Road roundabouts with new slip roads to separate local traffic and ease congestion, improve road safety and reduce air pollution. These plans, if enacted, would bring substantial local benefits to Uttoxeter and to commuters right along the A50/A500 corridor.
I am delighted therefore that National Highways have announced that they will be undertaking studies to assess the viability and reward of making this investment into the A50/A500. National Highways is undertaking this exercise ahead of the Government’s third iteration of its Road Investment Strategy (RIS3), which will make clear what major road investment schemes the Government intends to build between 2025 to 2030.
The fact that these proposals are now being actively assessed by National Highways highlights the level of seriousness with which they are being taken by Government and the strong case we have made already for them to be included in RIS3 – this is a positive step forward in our campaign for a better A50 and for all who use this vital trunk road.
