Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is an overall strategy for the long-term development of transport links between Southampton and the Midlands, particularly in regard to the volume of freight carried on the A34.

The A34 is part of the Solent to Midlands Route Strategy. Highways England is in the process of updating the route strategy for the A34 which will inform future bids to government for scheme funding. The updated strategies will be published in spring 2017. The updated strategy will reflect the current capacity issues on the A34 and the development proposals which are due to come forward over the coming years including those that could increase the volume of freight.