A MAJOR breakthrough in the bid to get Carrington Bridge dualled has seen the Government stump up £500,000 to help council chiefs’ case.
The Department of Transport has confirmed the cash will be available for Worcestershire County Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership to make the outline business case for phase four of the Southern Link road scheme.
As the Observer reported last week, county council chiefs have already submitted a bid for £70million from the Government in order to get the bridge dualled.
Worcester’s MP Robin Walker recently wrote to the Transport Secretary to reiterate how vital dualling the road is to improving transport links and growing the county’s economy.
In a letter responding to Mr Walker, the Department of Transport said: “I am pleased to tell you that, as part of our Large Local Major Schemes Programme, we are announcing today we will be providing £500,000 to help fund the development of an outline business case for phase four of this scheme.
“I know good progress has been made on delivering the first three phases of the link road.
“Once the business case has been completed, they will decide whether the scheme should proceed.”
Mr Walker said he is thrilled with the news and described it as a gigantic step closer in getting the Carrington Bridge dualled.
“It is brilliant news the Government is providing funding to build up the business case,” he added.
“This will save money for the county council and the LEP and enable us to put the strongest possible case forward for this vital infrastructure investment.
“Since the 1980s there has been precious little investment in Worcester’s vital ring road and for years I have been campaigning to secure improvements to the Southern Link.
“These will only have their full effect when the road is fully dualled, including the Carrington Bridge, and that aspiration, which has eluded our county for decades, is now a gigantic step closer.
“I will keep doing all I can to get this project secured,” he added.
