Rishi Sunak MP has welcomed the Chancellor’s pledge to invest in Britain’s productivity - including upgrading the A66.
Following the Autumn Statement, the Richmond MP singled out the measures to spend £1bn on improving broadband and mobile connectivity, £1.3bn on local transport improvements and increasing rural rate relief to 100 per cent as major boosts for business in his constituency.
Major road schemes to be funded include the upgrading to dual carriageway of the A66 transpennine route between Scotch Corner and Penrith.
Mr Sunak said: “The A66 route is a vital artery for business, tourism and the residents who live along its length.
“The remaining stretches of single carriageway are dangerous and have made the route vulnerable to major hold-ups in the event of an accident. This a hugely important announcement for business in the North of England and also the peace of mind of many of my North Yorkshire constituents who on a daily basis take their lives in their hands when joining it at the many sub-standard junctions.”
Mr Sunak also highlighted the £1.8bn increase in funding to local enterprise partnerships, the doubling of export funding capacity and 100 per business rates relief for new fibre broadband roll-outs as measures that would help make the most of future business opportunities.