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<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n“In the space of just two weeks following that statement, ARL\u2019s target opening date for the remaining section of the AWPR slipped from before Christmas to January.<\/p>\n
“We are now at the end of January and ARL are still not in a position to open this final section.<\/p>\n
“The people of the north east will want to know why ARL have failed to deliver their own programme once again and I am committed to keeping them fully updated.<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n“I am pleased to report all remaining physical works at the Don Crossing have finished.<\/p>\n
“But the\u00a0road can only be fully opened once Ministers receive the necessary assurances about the longer term impact of the remedial work and the changed costs of future maintenance.<\/p>\n
“To put it more simply, we are not prepared to pick up the tab for mistakes made by construction companies.<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n“No responsible Government could ever saddle the public purse with uncertain costs for an uncertain period of time.<\/p>\n
“Following a series of often robust meetings I held with ARL at the end of last year, I was delighted for the people of the north east when over 85% of the road finally opened on 12 December. Their feedback has been overwhelmingly positively since then.<\/p>\n
“I am seeking yet another urgent meeting with the senior ARL team to leave them in no doubt as to how resolute our defence of the public purse will be.<\/p>\n
“The ball is in ARL\u2019s court and I look forward to making this clear in person.”<\/p>\n
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