Local MPs, Amber Rudd and Huw Merriman, joined forces with Parliamentary colleagues this week to ensure that the A21 is a key priority in the government’s plans to improve the strategic road network.
Responding to the government’s consultation on future investment in England’s strategic road network, the MPs wrote to the Roads Minister, Jesse Norman MP, to stress the strategic importance of the A21 to the south east. They made clear their ambition to see a modern dual carriageway over the entire length of the road which is the key link between the M25 and the south coast.
Other co-signatories to the letter were Greg Clark, MP for Tunbridge Wells, Sir Michael Fallon, MP for Sevenoaks, and Tom Tugendhat, MP for Tonbridge and Malling. Along with Huw Merriman and Amber Rudd, they form the MP representatives of the A21 Reference Group which brings together all the business, economic and political representatives down the A21 route. For a number of years the A21 Reference Group have been campaigning for improvements to the A21 including the recently opened Pembury to Tonbridge bypass.
Investment in the Strategic Road Network is set through the Road Investment Strategy (RIS). The current consultation covers the investment period from 2020/21 to 2024/25. The local MPs want to ensure that major investment to improve the A21 is included in the next investment period.
Huw Merriman said “I have made campaigning for improvements to the A21 one of my top priorities since being elected to Parliament in 2015. The A21 is a key strategic route for the Bexhill and Battle constituency. It urgently requires upgrading to dual carriageway to make it more resilient, safer and to improve the lives of the constituents whose communities are divided by the route at Hurst Green and Whatlington. I am confident that by working with my colleagues on the A21 Reference Group we can achieve this.”
Amber Rudd said “The A21 is the main road serving our communities. It is vital that local people can enjoy safe, reliable and quick journeys on this route. Good progress is being made on delivering improvements but I am clear that further investment is needed to continue to tackle congestion and reduce the rate of accidents. Neighbouring MPs, local authorities and stakeholders are united in this view, and we are working together to secure these enhancements and deliver the goal of seeing a fully dualled A21 all the way between Hastings and the M25.”
