Regional politicians have insisted they will not accept without protest the cancellation of a crucial road improvement scheme after the former Prime Minister halted the project.
In late June, the Government confirmed it would abandon proposals to expand the A46 Newark Bypass, which had been in development for 15 years.
On June 30, departing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer revealed a £15 billion increase in defence expenditure but indicated this would require scrapping certain infrastructure schemes not considered immediately vital.
The A46 bypass and improvements to the A38 in Derbyshire were the sole two schemes nationwide to be terminated.
Cllr Paul Peacock, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, has addressed a letter to the incoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, urging an immediate reversal of the decision.
Councillors supported the letter during a gathering of senior members on Tuesday (July 21).
In his correspondence, Cllr Peacock criticized how the region was informed, calling the approach unacceptable.
He states in the letter that virtually no advance warning was provided and no genuine consultation occurred.
The scheme had already secured a development consent order, had been unveiled by then-chancellor Rachel Reeves in last year’s budget, and was reaffirmed as one of the Government’s major national initiatives in March.
In late April, officials informed the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) they anticipated commencing work on the long-delayed improvements to the frequently congested bypass within five years, with completion scheduled for 2031 at the latest.
However, in late June, National Highways terminated its £297 million contract with Skanska, with the reason remaining unclear at the time.
This provoked considerable anger across the county regarding the lack of transparency about what would happen next.
The letter further states that from the Humber Ports to Tewkesbury, organisations have united in acknowledging the vital importance of addressing one of the most severe bottlenecks on the nation’s strategic road network.
Cllr Peacock continues in the letter that the East Midlands has endured decades of severe underinvestment in transport infrastructure.
Regional data shows transport expenditure in the East Midlands remains significantly below the national average, despite the region’s substantial contribution to the UK economy.
The letter states that Newark and Sherwood District Council and numerous other authorities will not accept the loss of this scheme without resistance.
During the meeting, the council’s director of planning and growth, Matt Lamb, observed that the only two cancellations throughout the country occurred in this region, and that the decision would affect productivity, investment choices, and economic expansion.
According to the Government, a consultation regarding the decision is planned, though no specific timeframe has been established.
Cllr Jack Kellas, leader of the Conservative opposition on Newark and Sherwood District Council, commented that while he generally supports consultation, in this instance he does not desire one.
He states his desire is for them to simply revert the decision, cancel the termination, and make a firm commitment to the original schedule without unnecessary hold-ups.
The East Midlands Combined Authority and Mayor Claire Ward will be spearheading the regional campaign against the decision.
The proposals included transforming the route into a dual carriageway with two lanes travelling in each direction between Farndon and Winthorpe roundabouts near Newark-on-Trent.
The plans also included constructing a new flyover at the Cattle Market roundabout enabling the A46 to pass above the junction, along with a new bridge spanning the A1.