§ Mr. Michael SpicerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent progress has been made on improvements to road communications between the midlands and the east coast ports.
§ Mr. KeyA great deal.
Since 1990 the main achievement has been the construction of the A14—M1-A1 Link road—the final sections of which will be completed later this year. This route provides a vital east-west link, connecting the east coast ports to the midlands and the north.
In addition, a number of bypasses and improvements to existing routes across East Anglia have been completed including on the A11, Thetford-Bridgham Heath, Thetford bypass, Four Wentways-Newmarket, Newmarket-Red Lodge, Red Lodge bypass, and on the A47, Norwich southern bypass, East Dereham-North Tuddenham, Narborough bypass, Castor-Ailsworth bypass, Guyhirn and Eye bypasses.
Construction work has started on A11, Besthorpe-Wymondham and Stump Cross-Four Wentways and on A47, Walpole Tilney-Tilney High End thus further improving these routes through East Anglia.