ON Thursday we announced we were offering the Government �20 million towards the costs of widening the A453 assuming it agrees to bring forward approval of the scheme.
This pledge underlines our unstinting commitment to expediting the proposals.
Now we're calling for other local authorities to consider a similar financial contribution and for business supporters to throw their weight behind the campaign.
The Department for Transport already considers that the widening proposals offer good value for money.
But because of fierce spending priorities, it's now keen to see local contributions for all major road schemes.
This is a serious financial decision for us and not something we've considered lightly. We don't underestimate its significance at a time of much-needed support for our schools, libraries, youth centres and older person's facilities.
And because of the competing budgetary pressures we're also facing, our contribution would be raised through borrowing and repaid over 40 years from when the initial scheme actually gets started – so not immediately.
A decision from Government on whether any "reserve" schemes will be accelerated for early construction is expected some time this year.
The investment still needs the approval of our cabinet and full council in June.
Latest costings put the proposed scheme at just over �160 million.
More potential financial backers coming forward at this vital stage will surely make the scheme more attractive to Philip Hammond and his ministerial colleagues.
The A453 widening is one of two reserve schemes now in the running to be brought forward for construction to begin before 2015.
The scheme has already been subject to a public inquiry and is effectively "ready to go".
We don't want to risk losing out now the determined efforts to get the go-ahead for the scheme have reached a critical stage.
And with the recent establishment of an Enterprise Zone on the Alliance Boots campus at Beeston, we need complementary investment in our transport infrastructure to match the unique opportunity this brings to attract inward investment.
The A453 has been a top priority for improvement in the East Midlands for 30 or more years now and is a major concern for the Chamber of Commerce.
The Nottinghamshire stretch of the A453 is the second most congested part of the national road network after a short section of the M25 and provides poor access from the south.
Its poor safety record and high volumes of traffic are a very real concern too.
Widening the road would also improve access to East Midlands Parkway with its position on the main line from Nottingham to London.
We already know traffic delays are having a detrimental effect on the economic recovery and growth of the area.
The effects are being felt throughout Nottinghamshire: customers and suppliers can be prevented from reaching local businesses and potential investors get a negative impression of the area.
We don't doubt the strength of feeling in favour of the scheme running through business community and other local authorities, but we're now looking to galvanise that support to give us the best chance of success.
*Richard Jackson is Nottinghamshire County Council's cabinet member for highways and transport
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