Cllr Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council has today thanked Graham for helping the East Riding land its biggest ever capital investment: up to £40.8 million for the Jock’s Lodge Junction improvements, where the A164 and the A1079 meet outside Beverley.
Graham has long championed the Council’s proposals to improve the deadly and gridlocked Jock’s Lodge junction and has raised it at the highest levels of government for many years.
Today, Rail Minister Richard Holden MP has formally announced that the East Riding will receive over £40 million in addition to the £46.9 million already committed by the Council; its biggest ever capital investment.
Graham has been at the forefront of securing this funding, which was won against stiff competition from across the country.
Following hearing the concerns of residents about the dangerous junction at a public consultation back in December 2017, Graham has taken an active role in pushing this massive scheme to fruition.
He lobbied the then-transport secretary back in 2018, making clear that the junction, as currently laid out, is a cause of large numbers of accidents and significant gridlock.
In April of 2018, Graham was delighted that Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry joined his calls to upgrade the junction, calling it a “major pinch point”, echoing what everyone in the East Riding knows to be true.
Graham was delighted to welcome Minister Berry to the junction in November of that year, following the Government’s announcement that a record £40 million would be awarded to the Council to get the scheme up and running.
Following years of designs being worked on, the council has approved its own funding commitment of £46.9 million, in addition to the Government’s record-breaking investment.
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart said: “Jock’s Lodge has been a blight on Beverley for too long, and now, with this record-breaking investment by the Government, Beverley will have the road system we deserve.
“Over six years the council has dealt with many hurdles to get this over the line, but now, Beverley is on the verge of getting a proper junction at Jock’s Lodge.
“I want to thank everyone who has been involved over the years to make this happen, and to see this horrendous road transformed.”
Cllr Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Graham has been at the forefront of this project for 6 years.
“It will make a huge difference to this town and shows that the Government is taking the upgrading of our roads very seriously.
“I look forward to working with Graham and the Government to ensure we always get the best possible deal for our area.”
Minister for Roads, Richard Holden said: “Over £40 million of Government funding will be going to transform the Jock’s Lodge junction, helping to ease congestion, improve safety and grow the local economy.
“It was fantastic to be hosted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council today and hear first-hand why the funding this Government is providing will help improve one of the area’s busiest roads.
“Supporting road schemes like this one here at Jock’s Lodge is one of the many long-term decisions this Government is taking to keep this country moving and back drivers.”
