Government rejects MP's plea for A38 intervention

The government has been accused of "washing its hands of any responsibility" after rejecting an MP's call to intervene in a £50m road improvement scheme.

Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas wrote to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander last month urging her to instruct National Highways to take over delivery of the Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP).

Thomas told the BBC he had become increasingly frustrated with Worcestershire County Council's handling of the project, claiming the authority "lacks the expertise to deliver a scheme of this importance".

A government spokesperson said the Department for Transport (DfT) continued to monitor the progress of BREP and work with the council.

Worcestershire County Council said it had a "strong track record" of delivering DfT-funded infrastructure schemes.

A spokesperson said the authority "remains confident" in its ability to deliver phase three of BREP.

"The most significant challenge has been the discovery of a number of previously unidentified utility assets within the highway and work areas, particularly Cadent gas infrastructure," the authority said.

"These issues have required investigation, redesign and diversion works, many of which must be undertaken by utility companies themselves.

"As a result, progress has at times been affected by factors outside the contractor's direct control."

But Thomas, Conservative, said he believed intervention was necessary given the importance of the A38 as a local and regional arterial route.

"It's clear that the government is washing its hands of any responsibility and absolving itself of its duty to ensure BREP is completed as soon as possible and with respect to taxpayers," he said.

He added: "BREP is a complete shambles.

"Residents and businesses are at the end of their tether with the constant delays and roadworks.

"And the delays are hampering our local economy and damaging Bromsgrove's reputation.

"I continue to believe the severe negative impact on Bromsgrove of how this scheme is being delivered warrants unprecedented intervention by National Highways."

The DfT spokesperson said: "We expect the programme to be completed in 2027."

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