Peter Aldous Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Waveney last Friday met with the Prime Minister David Cameron in Lowestoft to discuss the need for a Third Crossing in the town.

 

Peter Aldous took the Prime Minister to the Bascule Bridge and showed him the problems that the town experiences; traffic jams and delays as we move around the town.

 

Lowestoft residents and businesses deserve better and the Prime Minister is listening. He promised that with a Conservative Government the £2 million report setting out the detailed plans for the Third Crossing will be completed by March 2016, so that a funding proposal can be submitted in time for the Budget.

 

This report will include the location and design of the bridge, as well as surveys and an assessment of the economic benefits that a Third Crossing will bring to Lowestoft. The crossing should be located in the centre of Lake Lothing.

 

Labour are not matching this promise. They have never committed this much money to a new crossing and if forced in to a coalition with the SNP won't be able to afford it.

 

This announcement is part of Peter Aldous' long term strategy to get Lowestoft moving. Achievements so far include:-

 

- December 2012 - Hourly service begins on the East Suffolk Line.

 

- September 2013 - Improvements to Lowestoft Station completed.

 

- March 2014 - Funding secured for Beccles Southern Relief Road.

 

- October 2014 - Agreement with Network Rail for plans to reduce the time that the barriers are down at Oulton Broad North level crossing.

 

- December 2014 - £300 million investment in the A47 announced, including its extension to Lowestoft.

 

- March 2015 - Final phase of Northern Spine Road opens.

 

- March 2015 - House of Commons debate on the Third Crossing.

 

- March 2015 - The Chancellor announces £2 million funding to finalise the plans for the Third Crossing.

 

- April 2015 - The Prime Minister announces that this Report is to be completed by March 2016, so that the funding proposal is ready for the 2016 Budget.

 

In 2016:-

 

- The work to reduce the time that the barriers are down at Oulton Broad North will be completed.

 

- The finalised plan for the Third Crossing will be submitted.

 

- Work will begin on the Beccles Southern Relief Road.

 

Peter Aldous said: 

 

"I am determined to hold the Prime Minister to the promises that he has made to Lowestoft. As the MP for Waveney, I would continue to work hard to get Lowestoft moving to attract new businesses to the town; in the port area, the town centre and along the South Beach. This is the most significant commitment so far to the debate about a third bridge."