Caroline Flint presses for early completion of FARRRS Link Road

30 March 2006

Don Valley MP Caroline Flint has written to the Roads Minister calling for an early start to the FARRRS scheme. The move comes after Ms Flint lobbied the Regional Transport Board in January to influence their recommendations to Ministers.

Said Ms Flint: "Whilst the Regional transport Board can recommend how best to spend Government money, we know that this £80 million scheme will improve access to jobs and boost Robin Hood airport.

"I have written to the Minister making the case that the Airport M18 link road meets the Government's employment objectives for the region and should be right at the front of the queue."

Said Rossington Parish councillor, Barry Johnson: "The FARRRS scheme is important for the airport, which has already seen 700,000 passengers passing through the terminal, but it is also important for Rossington itself, and for easy access to other employment zones."

The Regional recommendations have to await a final decision by the Minister, which may not come until May or June. The scheme may also benefit from early match funding from Yorkshire Forward and a contribution from Peel Airports.

Said Ms Flint: "For schemes like the Rossington link road and many other schemes, these are early days. It is vital that local residents who wasn't the scheme show their support, so that we do not face the delay of a lengthy public inquiry and endless challenges. The sooner the road is approved, the sooner preparation and building work can begin."