Council leaders of authorities from across Suffolk have agreed to contribute to a new study into a relief road around Sudbury to take lorries out of the town centre.
Funding has been secured to produce an Outline Business Case for the Sudbury Relief Road – a detailed piece of work, including environmental impact assessments, analysis of the financial and economic impact, route appraisals, transport modelling and public consultation.
The full business case is expected to be prepared and delivered by the end of 2018.
Suffolk’s eight council leaders and Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore agreed the funding to produce the Outline Business Case.
Jennie Jenkins, chair of the Suffolk Public Sector Leaders group, said: “For Suffolk to get the big infrastructure investments needed to grow our economy and improve our communities, we must make the best possible case to Government.
“Developing a robust business case for the Sudbury Relief Road is how we do exactly that and what Suffolk Public Sector Leaders have committed support to.
“This work will analyse in great detail all aspects of this project, including various route options, so that we can put forward the strongest possible arguments for financial investment in Suffolk.”
James Cartlidge, MP for South Suffolk welcomed the news: “I am delighted that funding has been secured for the next step towards delivering a Sudbury bypass.
“This is a crucial step because it gives us the chance to prepare a case that can be formally submitted to central Government for funding.
“It also demonstrates to the people of Sudbury that local authorities in Suffolk are serious about backing a bypass and backing our town’s future.”
The Government has announced the creation of a Major Road Network, which is expected to include the A131 through Sudbury. As part of this there will be additional funding available for these sorts of schemes.
In order for this scheme to be considered for early delivery, an Outline Business Case needs to be developed.
Work will include public consultation, a more detailed environmental assessment, and detailed transport modelling linked with a land use model.
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