Agency chief vows to fight road block

Feb 24 2006 By Chloe Griffiths, The Journal

The boss of regional development agency One NorthEast yesterday said she was doing everything in her power to overcome attempts by road bosses to block vital developments in the region.

Chairman of the RDA, Margaret Fay, was speaking at a meeting of Gateshead Council at the town's Civic Centre yesterday.

Liberal Democrat group leader Coun Noel Rippeth questioned Mrs Fay over the role the agency are playing in trying to ensure the Highways Agency do not strangle development in the region using Article 14 restrictions - which hold up plans on the grounds of congestion on the A1 and A19.

The tactic, which is the subject of The Journal's Go For Jobs campaign, is estimated to be costing the region £1bn in investment and 10,000 potential jobs.

Yesterday, Mrs Fay insisted the issue was of prime concern to the agency, who are responsible for the promotion and development of the region.

She revealed the organisation have discussed the issue with the Highways Agency and have also approached the Department for Transport, including Secretary of State Alastair Darling, to lift the restrictions.

Mrs Fay insisted the powers are blocking development throughout the region, adding that One NorthEast would continue to lobby the Government to ensure it was reviewed.

She said: "The Highways Agency veto on allowing more traffic on the A1 is frankly holding back the region. It is an enormous issue for the whole region - Article 14 is holding back development.

"We have been working with the Highways Agency on this issue and we met with the chief executive three weeks ago. We have also made representations to the Department of Transport and we will continue to lobby Government."

The Highways Agency has come under mounting pressure from business leaders and politicians to stop blocking planning in the North-East to ensure development is allowed and jobs created.

The Journal has revealed road chiefs have previously relaxed Article 14 in other parts of the country, particularly South Yorkshire, because of the need to boost jobs.

Page 2: Motorbikes are the traffic jam-busters