Plans to upgrade the A1(M) at Stevenage to a Smart Motorway to include widening of the two lane section to dual three lane and hard shoulder running were included in the first ever Road Investment Strategy today.The new strategy has been developed to keep the population connected and the economy growing.

Stephen McPartland, Member of Parliament for Stevenage said “This is absolutely fantastic news and I am delighted with the announcement that the Government is going to implement hard shoulder running to improve traffic flow on our section of the A1(M).

"I knew we were close to getting the deal and it has been so hard keeping the news quiet. However, I know how tense the final days of any major infrastructure announcement are, as I have already secured over £300 million of infrastructure investment from the government for our local schools, hospital, housing and jobs. This is a historic announcement that will deliver a massive boost to our local economy and create even more jobs for local families.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, said, “Our long term economic plan means today we can invest an unprecedented £15 billion into Britain’s infrastructure to improve repair and expand our roads. For years our roads have been neglected. Now that this government is fixing the economy, we can afford to invest properly in our roads – unlocking jobs for the future and local growth by creating a road network that is fit for the 21st century.”

Speaking in Parliament earlier today Stephen told the Secretary of State for Transport that, “for over 30 years my constituents have been stuck in huge traffic jams on the two lanes between junctions 6 and 8 of the A1(M) at Stevenage. Today the Secretary of State announced a smart motorway scheme to introduce three lanes by using the hard shoulder. I thank my right hon. Friend for listening to the campaign from the local Members of Parliament. Does he realise what a massive boost this will give to Hertfordshire’s economy?

Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, replied, “I am grateful to my hon. Friend. The operation of smart motorways and smart roads is encouraging. We are seeing roll-out. It is not a completely cost-free option. It is quite an expensive option, costing around £8 million a mile, but it leads to significant improvements.”

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