Created by Bob Blizzard, Waveney Constituency Labour Party, 35 High Street, NR32 1HY.
Hosted by Graphics Matter 3DW Ltd, 178 London Road North, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 1HB

ANOTHER STEP FORWARD ON THIRD CROSSING

Transport Minister, Sadiq Khan has agreed another key step forward towards a Third River Crossing for Lowestoft. He has agreed to Waveney MP Bob Blizzard’s request that an Economic Impact Assessment be carried out by the Highways Agency. This will supply key evidence that will help make the case for future funding of the scheme.

Bob Blizzard said, “Back in June I asked the Minister to support this next step forward and I am delighted to have received a positive response from him. It keeps the ball rolling for our much needed third crossing.”

In his letter to Bob, the Minister writes,

“Following on from our meeting on 17th June about the potential for a third road crossing of Lake Lothing in Lowestoft, I have reviewed your request for the Highways Agency to undertake an Economic Impact Report to assist with getting the scheme prioritised in the East of England Regional Funding Allocation.”

“I think it is a worthwhile exercise to expand on the transport evidence base.”

“Consequently, I am pleased to inform you that I have asked the Highways Agency to work with Waveney District Council and 1st East on developing their transport evidence base and in particular, provide a match funded contribution towards the costs of further analysis which may include an EIR.”

The MP said, “I am confident that this Report will conclude that a third crossing will provide substantial economic benefits for Lowestoft and our development plans.

“It will help us persuade the Regional Assembly (and our representative on it, Suffolk County Council) to prioritise a third crossing for Lowestoft when it draws a future list of schemes to be submitted for government funding. You can’t get very far without this important evidence.

“We already have a report which confirms the location of a third crossing and its viability in meeting Department for Transport funding criteria. Now we will have further justification.”