This is short-term pain for long-term gain.
Securing these improvements will make a huge difference, not just to those who use the A5 but to people in Hinckley, Burbage and the surrounding areas that get turned into a rat run every time the bridge is hit.
🧵 / end.
Our area has been waiting for *so long* to get the issue of the Watling Street bridge sorted. I'm pleased to have played my part in getting this work underway.
‼️ There will be disruption while work takes place, BUT I'm sure we can agree that sorting the bridge is long overdue.
🚨 Diversions for HGVs will be clearly signed via the M69, M6 and M42.
🚫 Roads such as Nutts Lane are not suitable for lorries. If you see any instances of this, please email me (luke.evans.mp@parliament.uk) with details and I'll raise it with the relevant company.
Importantly, this stretch of road will not be closed for the 12-month duration of the order ‼️
The work is not expected to take 12 months; this is just the length of the order granted by National Highways. When I have more info about completion, I'll post an update.
You'll see from point 2 that the order grants a road closure of this small stretch of the A5... I've been assured that this will take place over a short period of a couple of weeks during the summer.
‼️ When I have more information about when this will be, I will let you know.
The temporary traffic order (printed in today's Hinckley Times) imposes a 40mph speed limit on the A5 from the roundabout at Hammonds Way (just before the Watling Street bridge) to the Dodwells roundabout.
As promised on Monday, I now have further information about work to lower the road under the Watling Street bridge.
‼️ Work is expected to start on 5th May.
🧵/ start.
We need nuclear, renewables, and oil and gas to secure our energy for decades to come.
‼️ The UK should be using more of our own reserves, which includes supporting domestic oil and gas production in the North Sea.
3/3
The IMF says the UK is particularly exposed as a net energy-importing economy, meaning the effects of the Iran war on global oil prices weigh more heavily on growth.
As I've said before, the sooner we move to an energy self-sufficient country, the better.
2/3
Today the IMF has said that, of all major economies, the UK will be hit hardest by the energy crisis.
This follows findings by the OECD last month that the UK will face the biggest hit to growth out of the G20.
More on this here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
⁉️ But why?
1/3
Improvements are coming; I'll have more information to share with you about the exact details as they're available shortly.
Read the full document here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69c426...
🧵 / end.
This is short-term pain, for long-term gain.
Securing these improvements will make a huge difference for our community, not just to those who use the A5 but to people in Hinckley, Burbage and surrounding villages that get turned into a rat-run every time the bridge is hit.
7/
Over the past six years that I've been an MP, I've promised to improve infrastructure and transport, and the A5 is central to that.
I warn you: there will be significant disruption while work takes place, but I'm sure we can agree that sorting this bridge is long overdue.
6/
Work to address the issue of the Watling Street bridge (the most bashed bridge in Britain) is due to start next month!
This is a huge relief and will involve a lot of work to lower the road under the bridge.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
5/
Following business case approval, the Government will look to start construction in the 2031/32 to 2035/36 period.
‼️ That's a long way off, BUT IN THE MEANTIME...
4/
⁉️ What does this mean?
Following *years* of work by myself, Midlands Connect, local councils, neighbouring MPs and road users across our area, the Department for Transport has confirmed that National Highways can continue to develop a scheme for this stretch of the A5.
3/
Many similar projects across the country didn't make it into the Strategy, so it is a relief that we're included!
You can learn more here: www.gov.uk/government/p...
2/
Good news on the A5 📢👇
The latest Road Improvement Strategy includes improvements to the A5 Dodwells to Longshoot.
I know what you're thinking, we've been here before... but our area has to be "in it to win it", and with the change of Govt I'm thankful we made the cut!
1/🧵
Thank you to Amy, Mary, Janet and the team at Mencap Hinckley Social Stars on Hill Street for welcoming me to yesterday’s club night 🌟
It was really touching to see the welcoming community and friendship that they’ve built at Social Stars, not just for children with SEND but their families too.
📢 60-second survey: speed limits
A policy proposal from the Green Party would see speed limits on motorways reduced to 55mph - but what do you think?
I'm keen to hear your views. Please fill out my short survey here 👇
www.drlukeevans.org.uk/news/speed-l...
Labour say they will 'grow the economy' but, with a toxic concoction of higher taxes on businesses and more red tape, the economy is stalling.
If Labour can't cut public spending or grow the economy, it only has two options left: increase borrowing or raise taxes further.
/ End
⁉️ What can the Government do?
Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer know that the welfare bill is too high.
Labour has previously tried to reduce welfare spending so that the Government can live within its means, but backbench MPs blocked proposals that were put forward.
To help put this into perspective: this is more than the ENTIRE BUDGET for the Department for Education (£101bn in 2025/26).
And if debt servicing were a Department, it would be the THIRD LARGEST.
⁉️ Why is this an issue?
For a Government to spend more than it is receiving in tax receipts, it must be borrowing the difference.
For 2025/26, the cost of servicing debt (paying back the principal amount owed, plus interest) was £111.2bn.
That's 8.3% of total public spending.
This follows news that Government borrowing in February was the second highest on record.
At £14.3 billion, February 2026 was second only to February 2021, when the Government was supporting with Covid-19.
This was £6.9bn more than the Government was forecast to borrow.
⁉️ What does this mean?
In short, the Govt is spending more on people not working or in receipt of in-work benefits, child benefit or pensions than it collects from working people.
The amount the UK spends on welfare is forecast to reach £407bn - 11.2% of GDP - in 2030/31.
Labour is now spending more on welfare than it is raising in Income Tax.
In the 2025/26 financial year, the Treasury raised £331 billion in Income Tax.
In the same year, the Government spent £333bn on welfare.
As I and many others have pointed out, this is unsustainable.
A 🧵
There are three key strands to energy and climate: security, affordability and environmental impacts.
I believe that the sooner we move to an energy self-sufficient country, the better.
Last year before the current spike in oil and gas, I called for the UK to use more of our own reserves👇
Thank you to St Mary’s School Community for inviting me to be part of the school’s Easter Heritage Trail last week.
Great to see local businesses like Castle Treats and Blooming Lovely taking part!
A fun opportunity to explore our town and support local businesses over the Easter break 🐣
A very Happy Easter, from my family to yours! 🐣
I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend with friends, family and loved ones.
