New hope over jobs roadblock

Nov 8 2006 By Ross Smith, The Journal

The Highways Agency has bowed to pressure from the Go For Jobs campaign by agreeing to draw up guidelines setting out when it will intervene in developments in the North-East.

The body has agreed to create "memoranda of understanding" which council bosses hope could put an end to Article 14 orders which block job-creating developments close to North-East roads.

Highways Agency bosses are allowed through Article 14 orders to block planning decisions if they feel developments will increase congestion on the A1 or A19.

Go For Jobs leaders have called since last year for an agreement to be drawn up over when the orders can be used, after it emerged a similar document in South Yorkshire had enabled greater flexibility in order to help regeneration.

Now the agency has responded to a damning report from MPs by promising to introduce similar policies elsewhere.

And it confirmed last night that it is negotiating an agreement in Gateshead - an area blighted by development hold-ups because of the Team Valley estate's proximity to the A1.

Another memorandum is being lined up for the Tees Valley, where development chiefs have been scathing over delays to airport expansion.

Last night, Mike Parker, spokesman for the North East Chamber of Commerce, which has led Go For Jobs alongside The Journal, said: "This is a positive step to securing the future growth of the region and a crucial plank in ensuring that important, strategic developments can be planned with certainty.

"Clearly events in South Yorkshire showed that a sensible, partnership approach between the Highways Agency and developers could enable economic growth without the surrounding transport networks grinding to a halt."

Bill Naylor, of Naylors Chartered Surveyors, who has backed the campaign, said: "It's fantastic. It does seem as if we're getting somewhere at last."

Gateshead Council's head of transport and highways, Nick Clennett, said: "We are in discussions with the Highways Agency on moving away from Article 14s.

"Together we are looking at a new transport plan, which links the needs of redevelopment and regeneration with the transport network to further the growth of the region and improve the economic viability of Gateshead."

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Agency forced to give ground

Highways Agency bosses have made the concession after a hard-hitting report in July from the House of Commons Transport Select Committee into their work, including the use of Article 14s.

In its response, published this week, the agency said: "It is the case that developers have a vested interest in making complaints about the use of Article 14 directions."

But it said it would look at memoranda of understanding in urban areas, saying: "These have been piloted successfully in South Yorkshire and the agency is currently working with other authorities to develop the initiative further."

The agency told The Journal yesterday: "At the recent planning inquiry held to consider Gateshead's unitary development plan, the Highways Agency suggested a partnership approach as a means to overcome some of the planning difficulties in the borough.

"This approach was welcomed by the planning inspector. The approach, which will be a form of memorandum of understanding, is looking at a more structured way of working.

"Highways Agency have held meetings with Gateshead officers and although it is at an early stage, progress is being made. The agency is also at the very early stage of discussing with Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit how a similar approach might be also used in the Tees Valley. They are agreeable with this approach.

"It is unlikely that this approach will be necessary for the majority of planning authorities in the region, but the agency will consider its use elsewhere, as necessary."

Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland, who sits on the select committee, said yesterday: "Anything which improves the situation in terms of economic development is welcome, particularly around the Team Valley trading estate.

"What the Highways Agency have to do is win the confidence of local authorities and the business community in the areas concerned. Up to now, they've manifestly failed to do that."

The South Yorkshire document, signed in 2004, was justified on the grounds of the area's European Objective One funding status, and has not previously been described as a "pilot".

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The key issues

What is go for jobs?

It is a campaign backed by The Journal, our sister paper the Evening Gazette and the North-East Chamber of Commerce.

It was prompted by the Highways Agency's use of Article 14 to stop business developments, potentially creating thousands of jobs, if they involve adding more cars to the A1 or A19.

What is an article 14?

It is a piece of legislation which allows the agency to block planning applications where they could add more traffic to congested roads.

What's wrong with that?

It may be valid in areas where roads are already upgraded and the economy is over-heating.

But in the North-East, the transport infrastructure suffers from under-investment, and the economy has to catch up with the rest of the country. This will delay road improvements, and block new job-creating businesses, in a region that badly needs both.

What has been achieved so far?

Roads Minister Stephen Ladyman has given assurances that Article 14 notices should be used "very infrequently", and that a line should be drawn on two years of problems with the orders.

What should happen next?

The agency and councils need to come up better alternatives to ease congestion.

How about the long term?

There should be no further delay to the upgrades to the A1 and A19, with an extra lane where necessary on the Western bypass, to give Newcastle and Gateshead a comparable transport link to other major UK cities.

How can I find out more?

Go to www.goforjobs.co.uk