Following the extreme economic problems of 2008-2009, the forecastsmade by the Eddington study, which reported in late 2006, are unlikelyto come true. The expected growth, if it happens at all, will bedelayed by several years. This might not nullify the entire debate, butit certainly reduces the urgency.
For example, refer to this recent news item:
A14 congestion down 40% (Hunts Post, 29 March 2009)This item quotes Trafficmaster as stating that "congestion" (as definedin the item) is down 40% from the same time last year on a notoriouslybusy stretch of the A14.