RHA slam DTp plan to scrap link road
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DTp has scrapped a planned iublic inquiry into the proosed route from near Leeds orth-eastwards to the Al lear Boroughbridge, and its [uest for a cheaper scheme is xpected to delay plans for at ?,ast two years.
This is the first of a new eries of Government cuts as ■ art of its plans to reduce ,ublic expenditure, and more are anticipated within days when the White Paper on roads is published by Transport Minister Norman Fowler.
The RHA describes the DTp decision as "very regrettable," saying that much preliminary work has already been done on the inquiry.
It says that much of the expenditure on the link, around £80m, would not take place for several years, but the improvements in road facitities would be enormous.
RHA wants Mr Fowler to reconsider his decision and fulfill promises that trunk road improvements will be treated as an early priority.
In addition to Mr Fowler's planned cuts, local authorities have to prune their road budgets in line with cuts in Transport Supplementary Grant. But Tyne and Wear County Council is ignoring Government advice, and is meeting the £850,000 maintenance shortfall from its rates.
An RHA spokesman also expressed concern about reports that the White Paper will shelve plans for the Umberslade-Warwick section of the M40 and the Bromsgrove-Solihull stretch of the M42.