£93m port access scheme opens
The £93m Port of Immingham improvement scheme has been officially opened by the government’s maritime minister, who said the new port link will play a key role in boosting productivity in the region.
John Hayes was in Immingham to open the scheme which has provided transport improvements to reduce congestion and increase capacity for the 40,000 vehicles that use the route daily.
Immingham is the UK’s busiest port and currently contributes £460 million to the regional economy every year.
Hayes said: “I am delighted to open this fantastic new port link, a scheme which will significantly reduce congestion for tens of thousands of drivers and boost productivity across the region.
“Ports like the one here in Immingham play a key role in the long term growth of the economy and provide essential access to global markets.”
The scheme started in 2015 and in total a 3.5mile stretch of the A180 has been improved.
The roundabout at Brocklesby Interchange has been upgraded providing access to and from the A180 and the A160 between Brocklesby Junction to Habrough roundabout has been increased from one lane to a dual carriageway.
Highways England project manager Ben Ridgeon said: “We are already seeing a reduction in congestion as a result of this project which we completed in March. It will provide vital transport improvements in this area by increasing capacity and boosting productivity in the area creating more jobs and greater investment.
“We would like to thank drivers and the local community for their patience while this work has been taking place, and are pleased they can now benefit from the completed upgrade.”
Simon Bird, Humber director at the port’s owner Associated British Ports (ABP), said: “The A160 road improvement works have already made a significant difference to the way we operate our port. ABP’s Humber ports currently contribute £2.2 billion to the region’s economy and ABP is continually investing in new infrastructure and equipment in order to expand our operations in Immingham. The newly established improvement works will help us to handle the additional traffic we expect to see come through the port.”
