DUALLING TIMETABLE FOR "BRITAIN’S WORST BOTTLENECK"

"This scheme to remove the worst bottleneck on the trunk roads of Britain was included in the then Government’s building programme in the early 1990s," said Paul Tyler this morning (Monday). "It was only because the previous Conservative Government ran out of money in 1995 that we are still suffering delays and damage to the economy of Cornwall now."

"Matthew Taylor and I were determined that those supporting the improvement should make their voices heard, instead of allowing the Public Inquiry to become obsessed with trivial objections. Of course residents and landowners must be given an opportunity to express their concerns, but after all these many years of debate I fail to see why interests from outside the immediate area should be allowed to hold up progress for a day longer than necessary."

"As a result of my representations on behalf of a huge number of constituents, from all over the area most affected, the Minister has now given me an assurance that some of the objections may be resolved, that the Public Inquiry will be held here in Cornwall early in the New Year and it should be relatively short. This is all good news. Every day that goes by when this traffic jam discourages visitors, holds back natural economic growth and continues to damage the Goss Moor SSSI is an unnecessary obstacle which prevents job creation and a more sustainable environment."

"I am also encouraged to note that, despite these more recent delays, the Minister expects construction to begin in about 18 months time and for the bottleneck to be removed once and for all during 2007."

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