On 13 March, it was announced that Suffolk has secured £830,000 of funding from the Department for Transport, to develop an Outline Business Case to take forward its plans to improve the A12.
Announced during the Government's budget, Suffolk County Council has been successful in winning £830,000 of funding from the Department for Transport (DfT), to develop an Outline Business Case (OBC) to take forward its plans to improve the A12 East of Ipswich.
This project is specifically looking to increase capacity and improve overall traffic flow at junctions and will explore the potential for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the A12.
With the funding secure, Suffolk County Council's Transport Strategy Team will now begin work to develop the outline business case which, following public consultation, will be used to make a further bid to central government for funding to deliver the scheme.
It was also announced in the budget that the DfT have given their approval for Suffolk County Council to develop and submit a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for a project to dual the A12 between the Seckford and Dobbies roundabouts near Woodbridge. Whilst this does not include any funding at this stage, the SOBC will enable SCC to bid for future funding for this project too.
Speaking about the award of funding, Councillor Matthew Hicks, Leader of Suffolk County Council, said:
"I am delighted that once again Suffolk County Council has been successful in bidding for funding from central government for large infrastructure projects. These improvements are between the A14 Seven Hills junction and the A12/A1214 Park and Ride Roundabout and will help boost road capacity and traffic flow. I am also pleased that the scheme includes additional proposals to help encourage more walking and cycling.
“We have also been successful in gaining DfT approval to start development of a Strategic Outline Business Case to dual the A12 at Woodbridge between the Seckford Roundabout and the Dobbies Roundabout, and associated improvements at those junctions. This project is at a very early stage, but gaining DfT approval means we can begin moving forwards with this important scheme for all users of the A12.
“I would like to thank all our MPs who have worked so hard lobbying government to help us secure this funding and promote Suffolk at Westminster. This proves once again that by all working together, we can achieve more for Suffolk.”
Planning for the OBC will start this year and likely be complete in 2021.
