Cheltenham's MP, Alex Chalk, has this week stepped up the pressure on the Government over the A417 roundabout, by highlighting the continued safety issues experienced by drivers passing through the notorious bottleneck.
Quizzing the Secretary of State for Transport, he requested data regarding the number of road traffic accidents that have occurred in the area over the last five years.
Responding on behalf of the Government, the Roads Minister, Andrew Jones MP, revealed that a total of 65 personal injury road accidents relating to the A417 roundabout were reported to the police between 2010 and 2014. This included 6 fatal and 8 serious accidents.
In his response, the Roads Minister also reaffirmed the Government's firm commitment to resolving the historic bottleneck, with work on a solution next to begin before the next election. He confirmed the ''intention that the scheme will be ready to start construction as early as possible in the next Road Investment Strategy period which starts on 1 April 2020.''
Commenting following the Minister's response, Cheltenham's man in Westminster, Alex Chalk, commented ''I'm pleased that the Government remains committed to delivering this vital scheme, and I look forward to seeing the preparatory work starting shortly. This concerning accident data only reiterates the need to take decisive action to unblock this notorious bottleneck, which has contributed to far too many accidents over the years and continues to hold the local economy back. I will continue to keep the pressure up on Ministers to ensure this scheme is delivered on schedule.''