Bradley Thomas MP has called on Worcestershire County Council to halt all non-essential roadworks in Bromsgrove whilst work on the A38 BREP Scheme continues.
The local MP made the demand at a meeting yesterday (July 31st) with the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport and the A38 BREP Programme Manager.
He requested the meeting as part of his ongoing work to hold the County Council to account over their A38 BREP Scheme.
This project was agreed to before Bradley was first elected, and therefore was not able to provide input before spades were put in the ground.
Bradley has grown increasingly frustrated at the disruption this work is causing. This led him to write to the County Council back in April with six key points that he demanded answers to.
The County Council finally responded to his initial letter back in June. However, Bradley wrote to them again as "their unclear answers raised more questions."
Not satisfied with the back and forth, a meeting took place between Bradley and the team behind the scheme.
At the meeting, Bradley was assured that the works are due to be completed on time next year and the project remains within budget.
The local MP also raised his constituents’ growing frustration with the amount of roadworks taking place in Bromsgrove at the same time as the BREP works are already causing significant travel delays.
That’s why Bradley has demanded the County Council halts all non-essential roadworks whilst the A38 BREP works are still taking place in order to avoid further congestion and delays for local residents.
Following the meeting, Bradley said:
“I promised to continue to hold Worcestershire County Council to account over their A38 BREP Scheme – and that’s exactly what I’m doing.
“I’ve been consistent in my view that BREP must deliver both a noticeable improvement in keeping Bromsgrove moving and in reducing the congestion and gridlock that blights the lives of residents and businesses. The County Council has assured me this will be the case. Time will tell.
“I was also assured that this scheme is not just about cycling paths. New lanes are being built, and junction enhancements are being made.
“But whilst this work is continuing, it just makes no sense at all that non-essential roadworks are allowed to take place. It’s just adding to congestion, delays and is further frustrating local residents.
“That’s why I’m demanding the County Council halts all non-essential roadworks until the A38 BREP Scheme has been completed. It’s common sense.”
