Comments about the A338

Our MP has called for a complete review of how we intend to fund essential road repairs and indeed what on earth we are doing allowing a major transport corridor lapse into the decrepit state it is. I share his frustration on many levels because whether we like it or not the current transport infra-structure is blighting any opportunity we as Christchurch or indeed the conurbation has for economic growth. If we are to keep those bright young things tumbling from our universities and colleges in this area we must ensure that they have opportunities to work and play in our environ. That means we had better get to grips with this issue with some urgency. Slowly we are being gridlocked as demand for road space increases both in terms of travelling and storing vehicles. At the start of my term as leader I said that I wanted to raise the bar in respect of the overall transport strategy, that aspiration has proved very difficult although we are now talking at a different level about access to the Airport and cross County corridors. However, I am acutely aware that as a Borough Council we can only 'influence' the many transport issues and directions needed through the County structure, DCC are constrained by a lack of funding and what appears to be a reticence to get to grips with the issues blighting the Eastern extremes of the County. When the last central administration moved all the money designated for the repair of the A338 north they must have considered the long term detrimental effect on this areas future and dumped us in the 'not worth it' basket. If as this coalition Government says that 'growth' in all areas is the key then this administration has to understand the economic blight likely if we do nothing about our creaking road transport system. So the MP is right to bring this matter to a head and if there are innovative ways of funding new or existing roads let those responsible give them urgent consideration.