Businesses pleased at news of A14 improvements
Thursday, 12th December 2013.
The chair of Haverhill Chamber of Commerce has joined the town's MP Matthew Hancock in welcoming the news there will be A14 improvements but no tolls.
As part of an infrastructure statement on Wednesday the chief secretary to the treasury announced this week that the A14 upgrades between Cambridge and Huntingdon will be fully funded by the Government rather than partially paid for by a toll.
Upgrades to the A14 are badly needed as the road is the main link between the port of Felixstowe and the Midlands. It currently suffers from congestion partly thanks to heavy freight use and this is what the improvements are intended to relieve.
The Government had been consulting on part paying for the scheme through a toll. Suffolk MPs and business organisations like the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce pushed strongly against this proposal on the grounds that it would put Suffolk at a disadvantage relative to competitors.
Matthew, alongside other Suffolk MPs, met the Prime Minister to discuss the situation and to push for the road to be fully funded.
He is delighted that the scheme will now be delivered without tolling and that work is due to begin in 2016.
Matthew said: “The Government’s decision to fully fund much-needed improvements to the A14 will be welcomed across Suffolk.
"I am delighted that the Government listened to local businesses worried about being put at a disadvantage and has responded to their concerns.
“Suffolk’s MPs and business groups have done a great job making sure the county gets the infrastructure investment it needs without being singled out to pay a toll for it.”
The chair of Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, Paul Donno, said: “Haverhill Chamber of Commerce are very pleased that the A14 will not be tolled and that the Government will be improving this vital link for Haverhill and Suffolk business.”
As part of an infrastructure statement on Wednesday the chief secretary to the treasury announced this week that the A14 upgrades between Cambridge and Huntingdon will be fully funded by the Government rather than partially paid for by a toll.
Upgrades to the A14 are badly needed as the road is the main link between the port of Felixstowe and the Midlands. It currently suffers from congestion partly thanks to heavy freight use and this is what the improvements are intended to relieve.
The Government had been consulting on part paying for the scheme through a toll. Suffolk MPs and business organisations like the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce pushed strongly against this proposal on the grounds that it would put Suffolk at a disadvantage relative to competitors.
Matthew, alongside other Suffolk MPs, met the Prime Minister to discuss the situation and to push for the road to be fully funded.
He is delighted that the scheme will now be delivered without tolling and that work is due to begin in 2016.
Matthew said: “The Government’s decision to fully fund much-needed improvements to the A14 will be welcomed across Suffolk.
"I am delighted that the Government listened to local businesses worried about being put at a disadvantage and has responded to their concerns.
“Suffolk’s MPs and business groups have done a great job making sure the county gets the infrastructure investment it needs without being singled out to pay a toll for it.”
The chair of Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, Paul Donno, said: “Haverhill Chamber of Commerce are very pleased that the A14 will not be tolled and that the Government will be improving this vital link for Haverhill and Suffolk business.”
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