Call to start dualling work as costs spiral
Work to dual the A11 from Barton Mills to Thetford will cost almost five times more to complete than expected, according to new figures.
The Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) released figures last week which show the cost of the scheme has risen from 30 million to 147 million, and campaigners are urging the dualling to start as soon as possible to stop costs spiralling.
The figures are taken from a Department for Transport document outlining cost estimates for major road schemes and show that many schemes across the region have seen costs soar.
Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, said: "The longer this vital initiative is delayed, the more the associated costs will creep up.
"The figures obtained by the Campaign for Better Transport are further proof that upgrading the A11 should not be put on the backburner any longer.
"A public inquiry into the scheme was ordered earlier this year and I urge the Highways Agency to do all it can to resolve the objections it received during the consultation period so plans are not shelved altogether.
"This upgrade is an integral part of Norfolk fulfilling its economic potential and I will continue to do all I can to ensure the new timetable is met."
Richard Spring, MP for West Suffolk, said: "These figures underline the fact that delays to the A11 dualling mean the costs go up, so the sooner it gets done the better."
Mike Brown, spokesman for business campaign group Gateway A11 East, said: "Already it is regrettable that the A11 was not completed at an earlier date and at a lower cost.
"However, the cost benefit to businesses has increased dramatically and covers the costs if the scheme is started by April 2010.
"It is important that the work starts to help business and stop costs from increasing."
Click here to go back to our main news index.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
