West Country A-road could soon be improved with cash from axed HS2 northern leg
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed that the £36bn set to be spent on the scheme would now be reinvested in “new transport projects"
A crucial A-road in Somerset could be improved with money from the now-axed Northern leg of HS2.
After announcing that he was scrapping the section of the long-promised high speed rail line between Birmingham and Manchester last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak revealed that the £36bn set to be spent on the scheme would now be reinvested in “new transport projects in the North and the Midlands, across the country.”
Some of that money could now be headed to North Somerset for improvements to the A38.
The government’s “Network North” plan to reallocate that £36bn states: “We are increasing funding for most existing major road network and large local major road schemes.
“These schemes, subject to successful business case approval, will benefit from an uplift in government contribution from 85% to 100% of their costs at the outline business case (OBC) stage. The increased funding will help ensure the delivery of these road schemes.”
Among the schemes listed as slated for the funding is “A38 North Somerset (formerly Bristol Airport Access).”
A spokesperson for North Somerset Council said: “We submitted proposals for improvements to the A38 to the Department for Transport in partnership with Somerset Council last year and are waiting to hear what funding is available.
“Our proposals focus on nine points along the A38 between Barrow Street junction at Barrow Tanks and Edithmead Roundabout (M5 J22) and would better connect local communities by improving options for active and sustainable travel, whilst also addressing journey reliability times and road safety.”
Elsewhere in the county, the HS2 money is also set to be spent on the new Wellington Railway Station — which will be “funded to delivery.”