BUSINESS leaders and county council chiefs are rallying behind a fresh bid for the £70million needed to dual the Carrington Bridge.
In a letter seen by the Observer, Worcester’s MP Robin Walker has called on Transport Ministers to consider a fresh bid from Worcestershire County Council to get the Carrington Bridge dualled, after the Chancellor announced a new pot of cash for major local projects in his spending review.
Last week we reported how the city’s council chief, Coun Simon Geraghty, believes the Government is more likely to stump up the £70million for the bridge work from their new Major Local Projects Fund.
Work is still ongoing on the Southern Link Road development which is being dualled from the Whittington to the Ketch roundabouts, but work will grind to halt in 2018 if funding isn’t secured for the Carrington Bridge.
“Given the new Major Local Projects Fund announced in the recent comprehensive Spending Review – I do hope there is now an opportunity for your Department to consider a bid from Worcestershire as part of this,” Mr Walker said.
“Upgrades to it have the support of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and the County Council – both of whom I have encouraged to put forward a bid in this light.
“It is in my view imperative that the A4440 be considered by the Major Local Projects Fund as a major strategic link.
Business leaders from across the county are also working with council chiefs to put together a fresh bid for cash to get the bridge dualled.
Gary Woodman, Executive Director of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It is great news that the Chancellor announced this new money for large infrastructure schemes that are beyond local Growth Deal allocations with Worcestershire’s funding currently standing at £54.2m.
“This opportunity could make the dualling of Carrington Bridge a reality which will bring huge economic benefits alongside the current developments to the Southern Link Road.
“This development would, therefore, support our businesses, benefit local people and help to encourage further investment in the County.
“We are liaising with the Department for Transport and will work with local councils with the aim to secure this vital funding for Carrington Bridge.”
Worcestershire County Council leader, Coun Adrian Hardman, said: “We have submitted an outline business case to the Secretary of State for Transport regarding funding for Carrington Bridge.
“We continue to work in Partnership with the DfT in making sure our case is as strong as we can make it to pass the Treasury challenges before we submit it.”
