Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire MPs ‘very committed’ to Staveley bypass

The MPs for Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire have told of their commitment to the long-awaited Staveley bypass scheme – during a debate in Westminster this week.
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Community leaders say the bypass would reduce traffic on the busy A619 from Chesterfield to Brimington and Staveley, cut journey times on many other routes and act as a catalyst for regeneration of the area.

The project – which was first raised as an idea nearly 100 years ago – was awarded £93million from the Government last year.

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins and North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley.Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins and North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley.
Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins and North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley.
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In a discussion on the East Midlands’ economy at Westminster Hall, Chesterfield’s Labour MP Toby Perkins said he and Lee Rowley, North East Derbyshire’s Tory MP, were both ‘very committed’ to the bypass.

Mr Perkins said: “I did a recent survey and know that there is huge support in my constituency for that bypass; it is something that has been spoken about over many years.

“Derbyshire County Council needs to speed up the process of delivering the bypass.

“There is a real cross-party commitment to going ahead with the Staveley bypass, and I hope that we will soon have good news about it.”

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Mr Rowley said: “I look forward to, and will continue to support, opportunities such as the long-awaited Staveley bypass, which is now moving to the next level, which is positive.”

Last month, a county council spokesperson gave the Derbyshire Times more information about the planned route of the bypass.

They said: “We expect the route to run north from the existing Sainsbury’s roundabout on the A619, past Bluebank Pools and then running to the east through the Staveley Works area to join the roundabout at Hall Lane where this meets the A6192 Ireland Close (Staveley Northern Loop).

"It will have junctions with Station Road, Brimington, and Works Road, alongside the Clock Tower business centre.

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“We are due to submit a business case to the Government in the autumn and are working towards a planning application, which means we are still some way away from starting any work.”

They added that residents would be able to have their say on the scheme.

Calls for HS2 eastern leg to be delivered

During the debate, Mr Perkins also called for the Government to deliver the eastern leg of HS2.

There have been numerous reports in recent months that the eastern leg of the high-speed rail line – which would serve the Chesterfield area – is to be scrapped.

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The Department of Transport said a decision has not yet been made.

Mr Perkins accused the Government of ‘dithering’ over HS2.

He added: “When people look back on this era of politics, they will find it incredible that for 11 years a Government had its biggest infrastructure project yet looked so unenthusiastic about it.

“I cannot think of any other Government policy in history that has been supported more by the opposition than the Government themselves.

“That is the reality with HS2.”

Mr Rowley, meanwhile, told of his delight that Staveley and Clay Cross are to be rejuvenated as part of the Government's Town Deal programme.

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“It is now the responsibility of the local councils, which we are working well with, to ensure that the money is delivered effectively into projects that change our area for the long term,” he said.

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