Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to allocate funding from his Department to improvements to the A12 between Ipswich and Lowestoft.

The Department is considering a funding request to the Large Local Majors Fund from Suffolk County Council for a bypass of the A12 around the villages of (a) Marlesford, (b) Stratford St Andrew, (c) Farnham and (d) Little Glemham. The Department will announce a decision in due course on whether or not to provide funding for the scheme.

This stretch of the A12 between Ipswich and Lowestoft may be eligible to meet the objective criteria for inclusion on the proposed Major Road Network. If so, local authorities may bid for funding from the National Roads Fund, subject to any proposals meeting the usual business case and value for money requirements.