Tuesday 15:23
Local people are invited to visit exhibitions in the Thurrock area later this week, when a proposed strategy to improve and develop the A13 and A1089 trunk roads will be on display.
The Highways Agency wants to hear from people who use the A13 and A1089 in Essex between the Greater London Authority boundary and the Port of Tilbury. The Route Management Strategy (RMS) will be on display for local people to share their views and opinions on it.
The exhibitions are taking place on:
* Thursday 5th February 12noon - 7pm Lakeside Shopping Centre, Ground Floor Plaza, Thurrock
* Friday 6th February 11am - 5pm Thameside Complex, Orsett Road, Grays
* Saturday 7th February 9am -1pm ASDA Stores, Thurrock Parkway, Tilbury
PV Singham, Highways Agency project manager, said:
"I would encourage people to visit one of the exhibitions and have their say on the future of the A13 and A1089 between the Greater London Authority boundary and the Port of Tilbury. Road users and local residents often know a great deal about what may need to be improved with the roads and have good
ideas of what the solutions may be. If people can not make it to one of the exhibitions, the strategy can be viewed on the Highways Agency website, at local council offices and libraries."
The development of Route Management Strategy is separate from larger improvement schemes being considered for the area, including the improvements to the M25 as announced by the Secretary of State in July 2003 and the proposed Shell Haven development. Both of these proposed schemes could impact on traffic using the A13 and A1089.
Copies of the draft RMS can be seen at the following locations: * Thurrock Council Civic Offices * Essex County Council, County Hall, Chelmsford * Thurrock Council local offices * Public libraries within Thurrock * Highways Agency, Federated House, London Road, Dorking, Surrey
The draft Route Management Strategy is also available on the A13RMS home page of the Highways Agency's website at http://www.highways.gov.uk
Anyone who would like to comment on the draft strategy can write to PV Singham at the Highways Agency, Federated House, London Road, Dorking, RH4 1SZ or e-mail: p.varothaysingham@highways.gsi.gov.uk, or the consultants carrying out the study, Halcrow Group Ltd, Burderop Park, Swindon, SN4 0QD or email cowiekn@halcrow.com
Any views or comments must be received by 8 April 2004.
Notes to editors
1. Media are invited to attend the exhibition on Thursday 5 February at Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock. A representative from the Highways Agency will be available for interview. Please let Karen Dowle at GNN know if you will be attending.
2. The A13/A1089 Route Management Strategy (RMS) extends from the A1306 at the Greater London Authority boundary to the entrance to the Port of Tilbury.
3.The A13 RMS is in support of 'Transport 2010 - The 10 Year Plan' announced by the Deputy Prime Minister in July 2000. The Highways Agency is developing a series of Route Management Strategies which aim to identify problems along the route and to help find practical solutions, through creating a 10-year action plan to develop and improve the route. They will ensure that individual trunk roads are managed in a consistent and efficient way and help deliver the Government's policies for an integrated transport system. This study is being carried out by Halcrow Group Ltd, on behalf of the Highways Agency.
4. The consultation period for the RMS started on Thursday 15 January 2004 and the closing date for comments is 8 April 2004. Following this, the RMS will be finalised and published in June 2004.
5. The Highways Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, which manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State. It works closely with other transport operators and with local authorities to integrate the trunk road network with the rest of England's roads and other forms of transport. More information is available at http://www.highways.gov.uk
Issued on behalf of the Highways Agency by the Government News Network EAST. Media enquiries to Karen Dowle on TEL: 01223 372784; FAX: 01223 372870; EMAIL: karen.dowle@gnn.gsi.gov.uk
