Widening scheme depends on cash

A dual-carriageway could be built on a major road in the East Midlands within five years if funding approval is granted, an MP has been told.

Rushcliffe MP Kenneth Clarke wrote to the government about the timescale for the £90m upgrading of the A453.

The existing road is a single carriageway linking the M1 at J24 to the A52 at Nottingham.

The work will start in spring 2010 with completion date set for the winter of 2012 - if funding is approved.

The Highways Agency said the road between Kegworth, Leicestershire and Clifton, Nottinghamshire carried up to 32,000 vehicles a day, had a poor safety record and posed maintenance difficulties.

'Severe congestion'

"It will improve safety, reduce congestion and make journeys more reliable for travellers and businesses in the region," a Highways Agency spokesperson said.

Mr Clarke received a written reply from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Tom Harris, confirming the timetable.

Nottinghamshire coroner Nigel Chapman said an estimated 10 to 20 people could die on the A453 in the next five years - and its upgrading would improve safety on the "dangerous" road.

Nottingham City Council said: "The A453 is a key route into Nottingham which suffers from severe congestion problems that urgently need addressing.

"We will continue to push for this to happen as soon as possible and welcome the fact the region has prioritised the scheme in its funding submission to government for the work to go ahead.'"

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