Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Update

Following the Chancellor's Autumn statement on the 29 November (http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/autumn_statement.pdf), the A453 Widening is one of six schemes previously announced for delivery in future spending review periods that will now be able to start works in the next three years  -  subject to the completion of statutory processes.
 
We are now working to confirm the specific programme.  The scheme will be re-activated with the next key milestone being the Secretary of States Decision on the Orders, we will seek to undertake this as soon as possible.

The Project 

The A453 east of the M1 is a major route between Nottingham, the M1 and Nottingham East Midlands Airport. The existing single-carriageway road has become increasingly congested. It carries up to 30,000 vehicles a day, has a poor safety record and poses maintenance difficulties.

The proposed scheme will benefit everyone using the route between the M1 and Nottingham. It will improve safety, reduce congestion and make journeys more reliable for travelers and businesses in the region.  The current Benefit Cost Ratio of 3.5 demonstrates high value for money.

The inclusion of the scheme in the Government's Programme of Improvements in May 2004 followed the Secretary of State's request to the Highways Agency to draw up improvement proposals based on the recommendations of the A453 (A52-M1 Junction 24) Multi-Modal Study.  Information about the preliminary scheme proposals presented to the public in 2004 can be viewed on the Publications page and the Scheme History page.  Information about the 2007 Public Consultation on changes to the scheme can be viewed on the Publications page and the 2007 Proposals page.

The Environmental Statement and Non-Technical Summary produced when Draft Orders for the scheme were published in January 2009 can be viewed on the Publications page. A Public Inquiry was held in November 2009 and documents relating to this can be viewed on the Publications page and on the Persona website at www.persona.uk.com/a453.  Following the Public Inquiry the Inspector reported to the Secretary of State for Transport, but no decision on the scheme has been issued.

As part of the Government's plan to eliminate the bulk of the budget deficit over the course of this parliament, a full spending review is underway and will report in the autumn. As a result of this the A453 Widening scheme has been deferred. Once the spending review is completed, the Department will be in a position to determine whether funding can be provided for the A453 scheme from within the budget agreed for the Department.

For further information on the A453 Multi-Modal Study or on the A453 widening scheme, e-mail A453Widening@highways.gsi.gov.uk.