THURROCK Council and its partners have welcomed the announcement of a vital new road improvement scheme in the borough.
Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport, announced that new slip roads will be created on the eastern side of the existing junction between the A13 and A126 at Lakeside during the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham yesterday.
The scheme comes following an expression of interest submitted by Thurrock Council earlier this year and will enable traffic to enter and exit Lakeside to the east on the A13 without having to use junction 30 of the M25.
Cllr Rob Gledhill, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: “I am delighted the Government has announced this important £50million scheme, which will help improve traffic flow out of Lakeside. I would like to thank our MP, Jackie Doyle-Price, for successfully promoting the scheme on our behalf.
“Thurrock is growing rapidly and it is vital we have the infrastructure in place to support that growth.
“Together with the widening of the A13 and M25 junction 30/31 improvements, this project illustrates that both the council and Government are firmly committed to improving the borough’s roads, which will help reduce congestion, improve journey times and boost the local economy.”
Perry Glading, Chairman of Thurrock Business Board, added: “This is great news for all in Thurrock and is a clear sign that what the businesses of Thurrock identify as key infrastructure enhancements that benefit them and their customers can, with a close working relationship with Thurrock Council, realise crucial steps of support from central Government.”
The Government announcement has also been welcomed by intu Lakeside shopping centre, which will be more easily accessible as a result of the planned improvements.
Full details of the scheme have yet to be released, but Mr Grayling said the Government expect further information to be available in the spring.
