News Release : 17 January 2001

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY PRESSES FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO HANDY CROSS JUNCTION

The South East England Regional Assembly is pressing for early improvements to the M40 Junction
4/A404 Handy Cross.

Members of the Regional Assembly's Planning Committee voted in support of the trunk road improvement at a meeting last week, after it was invited by the Highways Agency to suggest schemes for early implementation.

Traffic related problems at this key junction have been the subject of a Highways Agency led study in partnership with representatives from the relevant local authorities. Consultants employed by the
Highways Agency undertook the work and the content of the final report is in the process of being
considered by Ministers.

Regional Assembly Chair Councillor David Shakespeare of Buckinghamshire County Council said: "The Regional Assembly is recommending that a commitment to the implementation of the full package of measures be undertaken as part of this review. This commitment should include the provision of additional capital and revenue monies to the local authorities in order to enable them to deliver the supporting local transport measures."

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alex Butlin, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
2. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
3. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007