15 June 2015
MP for Waveney Peter Aldous last week called on the Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin to do all he can to help ensure that the necessary preparatory work for the Lake Lothing Third Crossing is completed in time to ensure the crossing is built as quickly as possible. 
 
The Government provided £2 million in the Budget in March to work up plans to allow for a bid to be submitted for funding for building a Third Crossing in Lowestoft. On his recent visit to the town, the Prime Minister announced that this work should be completed by March 2016 and that the crossing should be built by 2020.
 
These plans will include:-
  • Confirming the location and design of the crossing.
  • Work on such issues as traffic monitoring, environmental investigations and land assembly costs.
  • Detailed costing of the project.
  • Preparing the business case to demonstrate the economic benefits that the crossing will bring to Lowestoft.
 
Suffolk County Council will be responsible for co-ordinating this work, with the funding being provided from Government through the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership. The public will be kept informed of the progress of this work and there will be opportunities for public consultation.
 
In Questions to the Secretary of State for Transport in the House of Commons, Peter said:
 
“In Lowestoft, we are now getting on with the preparatory work for a third crossing at Lake Lothing. A lot needs to be done in a short time, and I would be grateful if he could confirm that he will continue to work with me and the local community to get the crossing built as quickly as possible.”
 
In response, Patrick McLoughlin said: 
 
“I have visited the site of the crossing, which my hon. Friend is keen to see completed, on no fewer than two occasions. He is to be congratulated on the scheme, to which the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I have paid considerable attention. I have asked my officials to support Suffolk County Council and the local enterprise partnership in taking forward the scheme, and I understand that a meeting took place in Lowestoft last Friday to maintain the momentum. I am sure that my hon. Friend will keep up the pressure on us.”
 
Commenting on the Transport Secretary’s remarks, Peter said:
 
“This is positive news and I welcome the Government’s support to the Third Crossing plans, which are now underway. I look forward to working with the Secretary of State for Transport, Suffolk County Council and the Anglia LEP to progress this work forward.”
 
 
Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con): I welcome the Secretary of State back to his place. In Lowestoft, we are now getting on with the preparatory work for a third crossing at Lake Lothing. A lot needs to be done in a short time, and I would be grateful if he could confirm that he will continue to work with me and the local community to get the crossing built as quickly as possible.
 
Mr McLoughlin: I have visited the site of the crossing, which my hon. Friend is keen to see completed, on no fewer than two occasions. He is to be congratulated on the scheme, to which the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I have paid considerable attention. I have asked my officials to support Suffolk County Council and the local enterprise partnership in taking forward the scheme, and I understand that a meeting took place in Lowestoft last Friday to maintain the momentum. I am sure that my hon. Friend will keep up the pressure on us.