Kate writes a bi-weekly column for the Uttoxeter Echo. This column was originally featured in the 16th March print edition.
Congestion is one of those things that take as a given of modern life. No more so than when it comes to the A50 where we often see a build-up of traffic, particularly at rush hour, as it passes directly through Uttoxeter. However, as I said when I was first elected, we should not just simply accept this and I remain committed to tackling what is a daily nuisance for many residents.
That is why, as your local MP and Project Champion for the North Midlands Manufacturing Corridor, I was delighted to recently speak at the launch of a game-changing report by Midlands Connect into possible improvements to the A50 and A500.
These suggested improvements include the much lauded ‘Project B’ which would see the removal of both the McDonald's and Derby Road roundabouts with a new junction built to the east of Uttoxeter to ease congestion and improve road safety. The separation of the trunk and local road would also eliminate the disruption to traffic flow and reduce air pollution as well as the greater risk of collision that comes with that number of cars in close proximity.
Building on the benefits 'Project A' has delivered with a new purpose-built junction to the west of Uttoxeter, research conducted as part of the report highlighted that the suggested improvements could save drivers over 30 mins every weekday, create over 12,000 jobs and generate £12 billion for the economy. Its worth remembering that this corridor is home to exporters including JCB, Rolls Royce and Alstom and these businesses rely on the road and efficient passage to trade and create jobs.
I am committed to working with Government and my MP colleagues along the A50/A500 to progress these innovative proposals to the next stage as we look to secure funding for them. Along with the news that East Staffordshire Borough Council is to compulsory purchase the Maltings Shopping Centre as part of town centre regeneration plans, we can begin to see strong shoots of recovery from the pandemic and new investment for Uttoxeter which will provide a real boost to residents and the local economy.
