EMCCA approves funding to give push for bypass scheme

AUTHORITY ALSO LOOKING AT FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO A-ROAD FROM TOWN

- By TELEGRAPH REPORTER

EAST Midlands Combined County Authority has backed plans for multi-million pound funding to support a bid to get the long-awaited Chesterfield-Staveley bypass scheme on the road and for a feasibility study for improvements to the A61 between Chesterfield and Clay Cross.

The authority's transport committee agreed at a January 15 meeting to recommend Government funding allocations for a pending board meeting to consider proposed transport investments including progressing groundwork prior to a major funding bid to Government for the bypass scheme.

EMCCA is now looking to confirm approval of £3m of funding for the 2026-27 financial year at a board meeting in March.

The authority will also be looking to approve £3.5m of Government funding over 2026-27 and 2027-28 at the same board meeting to develop and test feasibility options to determine a preferred option for a business case for further Government funding to improve the A61 between Chesterfield and Clay Cross.

East Midlands mayor Claire Ward (pictured above) told the committee meeting: "I want us to be ambitious in this region. I want us to be looking at different transport systems and different opportunities as we grow as a region [and] as we bring some of that growth into it."

The Chesterfield-Staveley Regeneration Route bypass scheme aims to reduce traffic congestion, create jobs and open up a growth corridor for businesses as part of a series of plans for the region.