Traffic schemes 'stuck in limbo'

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Vital traffic plans have become stuck in planning limbo, a business lobby group has said.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said the current planning system left traffic strategy in the hands of parochial interest groups.

The BCC has launched a Get Britain Moving campaign, which features a website highlighting 16 schemes stuck in planning for a total of 80 years.

One, in Lancashire, was first proposed 35 years ago, the group said.

The stalled projects include:

<ul class="bulletList"><li>The A1 Western Bypass upgrade in the north east of England: "Desperately needed to ensure traffic passing Europe's biggest business park does not grind to a halt. Four years stuck in planning process."</li>

<li> Improvements to A96 linking Aberdeen and Inverness in Scotland: "Vital to reducing bottlenecks and road accidents. Four years stuck in planning system."</li>

<li>The A27 in Sussex: "Needing improvements to tackle the congestion which is hitting local businesses. Five years stuck in planning system."</li>

<li>Port of Heysham link road development in Lancashire: "Needed to cut journey times across the River Lune. 14 years stuck in planning system - 35 years since first proposed."</li></ul>

Natalie Evans, the BCC's head of policy, said: "The projects highlighted on our website show why the planning system needs to be reformed.

"It's unacceptable that projects promising jobs and investment to communities across the country are allowed to linger on the back burner for so long.

"Giving decision-making powers to an independent commission would ensure that decisions are taken efficiently and in accordance with long-term priorities set by ministers, giving the planning system a real sense of vision and purpose."