Work on A5/M1 road link set to begin in spring 2014

During Treasury Questions the Chief Secretary to the Treasury reconfirmed that construction work on the A5-M1 Link will start next year, which is intended to relieve traffic congestion in Dunstable, Houghton Regis and the surrounding villages and give Leighton-Linslade direct access to the national motorway network at a new junction 11A of the M1 north of Dunstable.

Speaking after the announcement South West Beds MP, Andrew Selous, said: “I was delighted to hear the Chief Secretary to the Treasury reconfirm that construction work on this vitally needed road will start in spring 2014.

“That is excellent news for the whole area and will give businesses and local people even more confidence that South West Bedfordshire is a good place to live, work and grow a successful business.”

Speaking in the House of Commons today, Mr Selous said: “Does the Chief Secretary agree that if we are to compete internationally it is essential that we build our infrastructure more quickly?

“Over the past decade or so, progress has been glacially slow. In my constituency, the A5-M1 link road was announced 10 years ago, in 2003, and a shovel has yet to hit the ground.”

Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: “I agree very much with my hon. Friend, and that is why part of our national infrastructure plan last week included further improvements to the planning system for major infrastructure projects.

“The A5-M1 link road has been prioritised as a key project and I understand that funding was announced last year and work will start next spring.”