1 December 2014
West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has urged the Local Enterprise Partnership to press harder for funding to deliver much-needed improvements to the Carrington Road bridge. The highly congested road is a vital link for county drivers and the MP has written to the Transport Secretary calling for investment to dual the road. Harriett also took Transport Minister Baroness Kramer on a road tour of the county including showing her the congested Powick and Ketch roundabouts and the busy river crossing. The Department for Transport has confirmed that the investment could come from the Local Growth Fund and Worcestershire County Council and the Worcestershire LEP are responsible for making bids for this Government funding. Harriett commented: “I formally supported the LEP’s strategic plan which included calling for funding to this vital road link. “Our long-term economic plan depends on fit-for-purpose infrastructure and this bridge improvement project is a crucial part of our future growth plan. “I have pressed the Department of Transport to invest in the dualling of the Cotswold Line and reduce the pressure on the road network. It is also vital that the county council continues to deliver faster broadband to allow those people who can work from home to do so. “But the road network does need urgent improvement and the LEP now needs to work closely with the Department for Transport and make a clear case for funding for this project.”