SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE’S MPs yesterday met with Roads Minister Robert Goodwill to push for funding to double the over-capacity Carrington Road bridge.
Harriett Baldwin was joined by her colleagues Robin Walker and Sir Peter Luff to make the case for investment to improve the bridge and the roads between the M5 and the new Ketch roundabout.
The roads are operating at well above capacity during peak times and investment is critical to ensure smooth traffic movement for drivers from Upton-upon-Severn and Malvern.
The MPs were joined by Worcestershire County Council leader Adrian Hardman and chief executive Clare Marchant to discuss the issue at the Department for Transport.
Harriett commented: “The Southern Link Road is a vital artery from the Motorway to the world class businesses in West Worcestershire.
“It’s been well over capacity for years and it is great to see that the section to the Ketch roundabout will be doubled this year.
“However, we are clearly going to need to add more capacity to the stretch from the Ketch to the Powick Roundabout and all the South Worcestershire MPs need to speak with the same voice on this to Government in order to win the funding required for the Carrington Bridge.”
Robin added: ““It was really useful to be able to press the case for dualling the whole Southern Link including the Carrington Bridge, with the Minister and I am grateful for his advice and engagement on this.
“There can be no doubt that Worcestershire’s case has been heard and that the Department of Transport now fully appreciates why this road is so important.
“I believe that a combination of the Local Growth Fund and some extra funding from the Department of Transport can make this possible sooner rather than later and I intend to keep pressing for it until it is done.”