I was delighted to hear this morning that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt. Hon George Osborne MP, has today given the go ahead for up to £25 million of funding to upgrade the Chowns Mill Roundabout.
In addition, the Chancellor also announced a study into dualling the A45 between Stanwick and Thrapston, to improve safety and ensure that the A45 can provide a continuous expressway between the A14 and the M1. Given that Stanwick Lakes is an SSSI, this study will be a test-bed for environmental measures that can reduce the impact of major roads at other sensitive sites.
On announcing this investment, the Chancellor said: “Thanks to the Conservatives’ Long-Term Economic Plan, we are able to invest in the East Midlands. We are committing up to £25 million to upgrade the Chowns Mill Roundabout, linking the A45 and A6 at Higham Ferrers, and have commissioned a study into dualling the A45 between Stanwick and Thrapston. Tom Pursglove, the excellent Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Corby and East Northamptonshire, and Peter Bone MP, the Conservative MP for Wellingborough and Rushden, have worked tirelessly to secure this investment and today we are giving it the go ahead.
For years, this junction has needed investment, and with strong local Conservatives, and a Conservative-led government that's fixing the economy, we are able to commit to funding this upgrade. The work will improve road safety, reduce congestion and bring new development, and we will find a way to dual this crucial part of the A45.”
I know that today’s announcement will be very welcome news to people in East Northamptonshire. Working closely with Peter Bone MP, I have raised this issue regularly with Ministers, including with the Roads Minister, the Transport Secretary and most recently, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I am delighted, therefore, that this major investment is going ahead and it is testament to the huge number of local people who have supported this important Listening Campaign – to all of you, ‘thank you’!
I really am chuffed that the Chancellor has listened to local calls, as under thirteen years of Labour, nothing was invested in East Northamptonshire. In contrast, under this Conservative-led government, we now have the Rushden Lakes development at Skew Bridge, the Chowns Mill Roundabout improvements and the dualling of the A45. The Long-Term Economic Plan really is delivering for our area!
Yours, Tom Pursglove