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Written question asked by Lord Cameron of Dillington (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 18 March 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 April 2015. It was answered by Baroness Kramer (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 25 March 2015 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

A303

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the current timetables for the development of the A303 from Stonehenge to Taunton, including making it a dual carriageway.

Answer

The Road Investment Strategy (RIS) stated our intention to upgrade all remaining sections of the A303 between the M3 and the A358 to dual carriageway standard, together with creating a dual carriageway link from the M5 at Taunton to the A303, as part of a commitment to creating a new Expressway to the South West.

We have started this process by developing and starting work on major improvements during the first Road Period between 2015/16 and 2020/21.

The upgrading of further sections of the route to dual carriageway standard will be developed for delivery in subsequent Road Periods.

The Highways Agency is currently refining and assessing the range of identified options to understand their traffic, environmental and economic impacts.

The Agency is in dialogue with established key stakeholders, including English Heritage and The National Trust, and engagement will continue throughout the development process. Across all schemes:

- Public engagement is expected to take place between 2016 and 2017;

- Recommendations on preferred route options is anticipated to be between late 2017 and 2018;

- Depending upon the progress of the statutory process, start on site aims to be between 2019 and early 2021.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL5845
Session
2014-15
Subjects
A303 Dual carriageways
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk