Beverley Integrated Transport Plan Receives Full Approval From DFT

The final hurdle for the Beverley Integrated Transport Plan has been cleared, after the Department for Transport (DfT) signed off on the council’s Full Approval bid for the circa £22 million scheme, of which the DfT is contributing £16.343m, allowing the council to appoint a main contractor and for work to get underway this summer.

Beverley Intergrated Transport Plan will be one of the largest capital investments ever undertaken by the council and will provide a timely boost for the construction industry in the area as well as improving the transport infrastructure of the East Riding.

Tree and hedge removal works along the route have now been completed, with Beverley Intergrated Transport Plan anticipated to be complete by early 2015.

The scheme includes the long-awaited and much-needed Beverley Southern Relief Road (BSRR) as well as amendments to the Grovehill junction, Swinemoor roundabout and the Flemingate level crossing.

Whilst traffic volumes on Swinemoor Lane are predicted to increase slightly due to re-routed traffic flows from the BSRR, the main objective of the Beverley Intergrated Transport Plan is to reduce through traffic volumes in the town centre, with streets such as Keldgate estimated to see a decrease of 60 per cent. The traffic model also predicts traffic volume reductions on Victoria Road, Queensgate and Hengate.

In order to ease traffic flows on Swinemoor Lane and Hull Road, Beverley Intergrated Transport Plan includes significant amendments to the Grovehill roundabout, which will be enlarged and signalised with a computerised signal management system that senses traffic flows and speeds to optimise the sequencing, thereby maximising the volume of vehicles through the junction.

Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Final sign off by the DfT for the Beverley Integrated Transport Plan is excellent news and is a significant milestone passed in this important scheme’s delivery.

“As well as providing a boost for the local economy and improved highways for Beverley, the scheme also represents excellent value for money. The council will now appoint a contractor and begin work on site this summer.

“The transport infrastructure of the East Riding is a major asset and one which the council seeks to invest in at every opportunity, not least because it plays such a major part in our everyday lives. It is also important to the local economy, with reduced congestion and improved traffic flows freeing up more time for businesses and allowing them to maximise the output of their staff, vehicles and resources.

“One of the immediate benefits of the scheme will be the involvement of local businesses in its delivery, safeguarding jobs in the construction industry and its supply chain. It will also provide an opportunity for local young people to gain valuable work experience and improve employability and skills.

“While there will be some inevitable short-term disruption, unavoidable due to the nature of the scheme, the end result will be significantly improved transport infrastructure for Beverley, the benefits of which will be enjoyed for decades to come.”