Suffolk Energy Gateway (SEGway) comprises an improvement to the 4.5 mile section between the B1078 at Wickham Market and the A1094 in East Suffolk, bypassing the communities of Little Glemham, Marlesford, Stratford St Andrew and Farnham.
In line with our published timetable, we have now submitted an Outline Business Case to the Department for Transport (DfT). The aim of the submission is to obtain Government funding to develop the scheme and take it through planning.
Outline Business Case
Part 1:
Part 2:
Role of Suffolk County Council
Following submission of a Strategic Outline Business Case to the Department for Transport, Suffolk County Council received funding to develop an Outline Business Case for the two full four village bypass options (the single and the dual).
The submission is competitive against a number of other schemes submitted by other highway authorities from across the country.
Consultation findings
Our recent consultation helped to give us an up to date view of the impact the existing road is having on local residents, businesses, parish councils and other key stakeholders.
The consultation also helped to give us an indication of which type of road, if any, respondents would be most supportive of.
The alignment of the two options was indicative only and further detailed consultation on the actual alignment would need to be carried out, if the scheme were to progress.
Below are some of the headline findings from the consultation:
- 299 responses were received
- 43% of respondents felt the current A12 has a negative impact on the local area
- The top three specific areas of negative impact highlighted by respondents were; Congestion (119), Ability to cater for growth in traffic (110) and safety (107)
- 87 respondents supported Route Option 2 (dual carriageway) but would accept Route Option 1 (single carriageway)
- 49 respondents would only support Route Option 2 (dual carriageway)
- There was strong agreement amongst respondents that Route Option 2 would support all of the scheme objectives, with most agreement that the scheme would reduce congestion, as well as improve quality of life for residents.
- 2 respondents supported Route Option 1 (single carriageway) but would accept Route Option 2 (dual carriageway)
- 5 respondents said they would only support Route Option 1 (single carriageway)
- 52 respondents didn’t support either route option, with the main concern being the environmental impact of a new road through existing countryside
- 92 respondents did not indicate if they supported Route Option 1 (single carriageway), Route Option 2 (dual carriageway) or neither option.
Programme
We would expect to hear in late spring 2018 whether our bid for additional funding has been successful to take forward.
The scheme would be subject to preliminary design and further consultation in 2018 with a view to submit a planning application for determination in early 2019. It is envisaged that the scheme would be built between April 2021 and April 2023 opening to the public in April 2023.
SEGway represents the first phase of improvements to the A12 corridor between Ipswich and Lowestoft considered necessary by Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council and Waveney District Council.
Costs and Benefits
The dual carriageway alignment has been costed as approximately £133 million while the single carriageway alignment has been costed as approximately £88 million.
The proposed dual carriageway has been assessed as having a Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.906, meaning that for every £1 spent on the scheme would return £1.91, while the single carriageway has a Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.898.
Additional benefits include improved safety along the route, improved air quality for houses along the existing route and a reduction in noise. The scheme would support economic growth in the region.
Suffolk County Council are contributing to 5% of the overall scheme costs and also expect that EDF Energy would make a significant contribution to the scheme as part of any mitigation for Sizewell C.
For further information please download the project business case or contact SEGway@Suffolk.gov.uk if you would like to request a specific document.