MP wades into row with government over Redbridge causeway repair funds

A NEW FOREST MP has waded into the row between the government and Hampshire County Council over who should pay for £25m of urgent repairs to one of the district’s most important links.

Sir Desmond Swayne MP spoke out in the House of Commons to raise the issue of the crumbling Redbridge causeway, which carries the busy A35 over the River Test between Totton and Southampton.

As reported in the A&T, HCC wants the government to contribute to the job, arguing the route has regional and national economic significance because of the huge container port nearby.

Asking transport minister Jesse Norman what plans he had for its repair, Sir Desmond, of New Forest West, said: “It is a strategic route and, at £25m, this is too much to expect of a county council, isn’t it?”

Mr Norman said the A35 was a “local road” and was therefore the responsibility of the county council as the highways authority.

He added that HCC had received an extra £11.9m in the last budget and had been allocated £168m until 2021 for roads spending.

He said: “There is also the possibility for it to apply to other schemes, including the major roads network scheme, which, as my right honourable friend will know, requires some national transport body agreement.

“If that is secured, we would be happy to look at the matter later in the year.”

HCC leader Cllr Perry, who last week announced he would be resigning the top job in May, has previously urged the government to stump up for the costs.

He said the concrete crossing was “essential” to the south’s local economy and warned that, without help, the huge cost would have a “very serious impact” on the council’s ability to fund other roadworks.

HCC has already agreed to “underwrite” £8.4m of urgent repairs in the hope the government will refund it afterwards.

The Redbridge causeway conveys 60,000 vehicles every day as well as the Southampton to Romsey railway line.