Graham has welcomed the opening of the new Jock’s Lodge junction, marking the culmination of years of campaigning to secure Government backing for improvements to one of the East Riding’s busiest roads.
The A1079 and new Jock’s Lodge roundabout are now fully open to traffic following the removal of restrictions on Friday 11 September.
It is a major milestone for the £86.9 million A164 and Jock’s Lodge Improvement Scheme, the biggest capital project ever undertaken by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
Graham made securing Government funding for Jock’s Lodge a top priority in January 2018, following concerns about serious accidents, congestion and the effect of the junction on Beverley and the wider East Riding.
He took East Riding Council’s case directly to the then-Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, pressed the Northern Powerhouse Minister and Transport for the North for their support, and helped secure public ministerial backing for the improvements.
In May 2018, the Government announced £40 million towards the scheme.
Graham later brought Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry to Jock’s Lodge to see the plans for himself and continued to support the project as it went through public consultation, planning and the challenge of rising construction costs.
In 2023, the final funding package was agreed, with Government funding of up to £40.8 million alongside East Riding Council’s contribution.
Construction began in January 2024.
The project has created a new dual carriageway on the A164 between Beverley and Skidby roundabout, a new road bridge at Bentley and a new roundabout on the A1079.
More than 7.5km of road has been surfaced, more than 3km of cycle path improved and six new crossing points created for pedestrians and riders. Around 128,000 trees and shrubs have also been planted.
Restrictions remain on parts of the A164 while the final work is completed and are expected to be removed in the coming weeks.
Graham said:
“I’m pleased that nearly nine years of work on Jock’s Lodge is coming to an end.
“Anyone who regularly uses these roads knows what a pain the roadworks have been, and I’m grateful to people for putting up with the queues and disruption while such a huge project has been built.
“The important thing is what we have at the end of it: a safer, better road system, fit for the future and able to serve people across the East Riding for years to come.
“This has been a huge joint effort. More than £40 million came from the Government and East Riding Council made the biggest capital investment in its history to get the scheme built.
“I particularly want to thank Kerri Harold and David Elvidge, who championed these improvements from the start, as well as the Council officers, contractors and everyone else who has worked on the project.
“After all the disruption, it will be good to see people simply getting on with their journeys on a much better road.”
Graham’s campaign for Jock’s Lodge
4 January 2018: Graham makes Jock’s Lodge funding a top priority. Graham backed East Riding Council’s £40 million bid, making safer journeys, reduced congestion and improved access to Beverley a priority.
https://www.grahamstuart.com/news/graham-says-jocks-lodge-funding-top-p…
8 February 2018: Graham takes the campaign to the Transport Secretary. Graham took the £40 million case directly to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling after residents overwhelmingly backed substantial improvements.
https://www.grahamstuart.com/news/graham-takes-jocks-lodge-campaign-ver…
21 February 2018: Graham widens the ministerial campaign. After meeting the Transport Secretary, Graham pressed Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry and Transport for the North to support the bid.
https://www.grahamstuart.com/news/graham-accelerates-jocks-lodge-campai…
26 April 2018: Northern Powerhouse Minister backs the need for improvements. Jake Berry publicly described Jock’s Lodge as a “major pinch point” following Graham’s representations.
https://www.grahamstuart.com/news/northern-powerhouse-minister-calls-jo…
17 May 2018: Government awards £40 million. The Department for Transport announced £40 million towards Jock’s Lodge after Graham campaigned alongside residents, councillors and East Riding Council for the improvements.
https://www.grahamstuart.com/news/jocks-lodge-receive-vital-government-…
27 November 2018: Graham brings the Minister to Jock’s Lodge. Graham hosted Jake Berry at the site to inspect the redevelopment proposals following the Government funding announcement.
https://www.grahamstuart.com/news/minister-jake-berry-mp-visits-jocks-l…
17 February 2020: Residents consulted on revised plans. Graham supported the public exhibitions as the funded scheme moved towards its planning application.
https://www.grahamstuart.com/news/graham-stuart-mp-welcomes-public-exhi…
10 July 2020: Plans win unanimous approval. East Riding Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the Jock’s Lodge and A164 improvements.
https://www.grahamstuart.com/news/delight-plans-ps50m-upgrade-jocks-lod…
2 August 2023: Council funding approved. Graham welcomed East Riding Council’s decision to make its substantial contribution towards the scheme following delays and rising costs.
https://www.grahamstuart.com/news/graham-stuart-mp-welcomes-green-light…
2 November 2023: Government funding settlement confirmed. Government confirmed funding of up to £40.8 million alongside the Council’s contribution. Council Leader Anne Handley publicly credited Graham’s sustained campaigning for the investment.
https://www.grahamstuart.com/news/council-leader-thanks-graham-landing-…
January 2024: Construction begins. Work starts on what would become the £86.9 million A164 and Jock’s Lodge Improvement Scheme.
11 September 2026: Jock’s Lodge opens. Restrictions are removed from the A1079, fully opening the new Jock’s Lodge roundabout and its approaches to traffic.
