A303/A30 upgrade could create 21,000 jobs

Councils and business leaders want full corridor

Devon County Council and south west business leaders have joined forces in calling on the government to upgrade the full length of the delay-ridden A303/A30/A358 corridor. 

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps’ backing for the Stonehenge tunnel has been warmly welcomed, but there are mounting concerns that the government has cold feet over funding vital improvements to the whole route despite an independent report that saying it would boost the south west economy by £39 billion. 

Analysis commissioned by a campaign partnership of south west local authorities and LEPs showed that improving the whole A303/A30/A358 corridor would not only deliver a massive uplift to the region’s economy from Cornwall to Wiltshire, it would also create 21,000 new jobs over time.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for infrastructure and development, said: “Before the pandemic ravaged our economy the great south west desperately needed a safe, reliable second strategic route to London and the south east markets, it is even more essential now to support our economic recovery and growth.

“We are concerned that the government’s current road investment strategy, published in March 2020 lacks detail. It is suggesting an 'A303 Phase 2 Upgrade' with no clear projects or programme. I am concerned that government’s plan of routing of all south/westbound traffic onto the M5 will result in congestion at Taunton and on the M5.

“The M5 will not cope with the additional traffic, it’s barely coping in peak times now, so the government needs to be clear about its intentions, give a firm commitment to improving the whole route and a firm commitment to deliver the huge economic benefits that Highways England supports.”

The call has been backed by the British Chambers of Commerce South West and CBI South West who represent thousands of businesses across the region.

Stuart Elford, Chair of British Chambers of Commerce South West, said: “Now more than ever our region needs a powerful statement of intent from the Government that it will finally transform the whole of the congested A303/A30/A358 corridor into the modern second strategic route our economy is crying out for. This is no time for half measures, if we are to build back better as the prime minister wants, then the government needs to be bold and put its money where its mouth is."