Following the decision by Highways England to close the slip road on to the A1 (M) southbound at Junction 17, Shailesh Vara MP today raised the issue in Parliament.

Mr Vara asked the Leader of the House, Andrea Leadsom MP, for a statement from the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling MP, urging Highways England to work more closely with the communities affected by their decisions.

Mr Vara criticised Highways England for its lack of action prior to closing the slip road, in particular the lack of adequate notice to motorists, the absence of consultation with local stakeholders such as councillors and Parish Councils and the lack of proper thought being given to alternative routes.

Mrs Leadsom, in her reply said:

“My honourable friend raises an issue again that is pertinent to all of our constituencies, which is the action on roads that is taken without due notice being given, so I will be very happy if he wanted to write to me on this to pass it on to the Secretary of State for Transport to take the appropriate action.”

Following the exchange in the House of Commons Mr Vara said:

“Highways England need to understand that their decision has had a massive impact on thousands of motorists causing them untold misery on the roads.

The decision to close the slip road should have been taken after proper advance notice to motorists and much wider consultation with stakeholders. Additionally, there should have been a lot more thought given to alternative routes, particularly given that the present  diversion is along a route where roadworks are already taking place.”