Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the policy paper entitled Network North, published on 4 October 2023, whether the 10 new smaller Midlands road projects have entered the Road Improvement Strategy (a) programme and (b) development stage; whether formal approvals have been granted; and whether it will progress into the next strategy phase.
All of these schemes are being promoted for consideration for potential funding as part of the Department’s Major Road Network/ Large Local Majors (MRN/ LLM) programme. None of the schemes will form part of the Government's Road Investment Strategy.
The position with each scheme is set out in the following table:
Scheme name | Cost | Completion date | Next business case stage |
A511 Growth Corridor | £62.72m | January 2027 | Full Business Case |
A614/A6097 Corridor scheme | £34.44m | December 2026 | Full Business Case |
North Hykeham Relief Road | £193.71m | November 2028 | Full Business Case |
A509 Isham Bypass | £111.31m | December 2027 | Outline Business Case |
Chesterfield – Staveley Regeneration Route | £166.40m | November 2027 | Outline Business Case |
A43 Northampton – Kettering phase 3 | £28.58m | June 2028 | Strategic Outline Case |
Shrewsbury North Western Relief Road | Tbc – subject to Shropshire Council’s procurement exercise | October 2026 | Full Business Case |
A4123 Birchley Island | £30.13m | December 2026 | Full Business Case |
A426/A4071 Avon Mill/Hunters Lane improvements | £24.28m | August 2026 | Outline Business Case |
A454 between Wolverhampton and East Park Gateway | £53.38m | September 2027 | Outline Business Case |
The table provides the latest cost estimate and completion date provided to the Department. These may be subject to change.
A conditional offer of funding for a scheme is made by the Department upon approval of an Outline Business Case. Final confirmation of funding is made upon approval of a Final Business Case.