Member Article

North East infrastructure projects used to sound job creation horn

Upgrades to the A1 at Lobley Hill, the A167 AT Chester-le-Street and the A1/A19 Seaton Burn Interchange are among a raft of infrastructure projects due to begin in 2014.

The Prime Minister has trumpeted more than 200 projects in rail, road, local transport, flood defences, broadband, airport infrastructure and waste management.

Of 19 North East projects, 12 are expected to be complete in 2014-15, including the £8.6 million regeneration of Newcastle Central Station; Four Lane Ends and A188 Junction Improvements; A167 Chester-le-Street, Park Road to Junction 63 Improvements and the A19/A174 Parkway Junction Improvements, Middlesbrough.

They form a £36 million programme of investment outlined last year that includes £5 billion of public money, £21 billion private investment and £10 billion in join public and private investment. The list of projects used to publicise the potential for 150,000 jobs as a result of the works.

Mr Cameron said: “Ensuring Britain has first class infrastructure is a crucial part of our long term economic plan: supporting business, creating jobs and providing a better future for hardworking people.

“As a crucial part of our long-term economic plan, this government is backing business with better infrastructure so that more jobs and opportunities are created for hardworking people, meaning more financial security and peace of mind for families.”

North East Chamber of Commerce Policy and research manager, Mark Stephenson, said: “Having lobbied extensively for these vitally important infrastructure projects and worked closely with the Department for Transport and Highways Agency, NECC welcomes the assurances from the Prime Minister that these projects will all be started this financial year.

“It is vital that the timeframes do not slip – the quicker these projects are delivered, the more it will help business and the more it helps business the more our region is able to contribute to UK PLC.

“The timetable provided for key North East projects will be welcomed by our members. With around £700m being spent on regional road and rail infrastructure projects in the next three to five years, this investment is long overdue.

“It is good to see work at Lobley Hill being prioritised and brought forward. Along with schemes at both Silverlink and Testos that are scheduled to start in 2016/17, these projects will not only eliminate major congestion pinch points, but also hugely improve regional connectivity around some of our major business hubs.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .