Marlow: Junction upgrade to boost Globe Park and unlock new jobs

A £1.75 million pound upgrade to a major road junction near Marlow in Buckinghamshire that will help create more than 500 jobs has been announced by Highways England.

The Westhorpe Interchange, where the A404 meets the A4155, will be upgraded to allow better access to the nearby Globe Business Park easing peak time congestion and traffic flow problems. The improved junction will help to bring 22,000 sq m of vacant employment space at the Globe Business Park back into productive use, supporting up to 560 jobs.

The improvements are being made possible by Highways England’s £100m Growth and Housing Fund, which is helping unlock new homes and jobs across the country by funding road improvements linked to development plans. £1.18m for this project is coming from Highways England, with a further £500,000 from a private developer and £63,000 from the Buckinghamshire and Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (BTVLEP).

The A404 upgrade is one of five projects announced, and brings the total of projects supported by the Growth and Housing since 2015 fund to 21.

Jim O’Sullivan, Highways England chief executive, said: “Each of these improvements will ensure England’s strategic road network continues to make a valuable contribution to the prosperity of our country.

“We will continue to use our Growth and Housing Fund, working with a range of local stakeholders to unlock further development sites around the country.”

Deputy leader and transport cabinet member for Buckinghamshire County Council Mark Shaw welcomed the funding. “I’m well aware of the congestion there, and our successful funding bid will not only help deal with this, but also help stimulate the Buckinghamshire economy.”

The designated £100m fund was set up as part of the government’s £15 billion investment in roads and provides financial contributions towards the cost of road improvements needed for new developments, that that provide new jobs and much needed homes.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “Transport investment is crucial to a strong and resilient economy – that’s why we are making the biggest investment in roads in a generation, spending £23b across the country to improve journeys for motorists.

‎“These upgrades from Highways England will benefit the regions, giving a boost to businesses and better access to the jobs and homes that people want.”