 The head of the Highways Agency's North-east operations is to personally face demands from bosses that the stranglehold, which they claim is costing the region thousands of potential jobs, is lifted. John Bagley, the agency's director of Network Strategy North, will be at the North East Chamber of Commerce's Durham headquarters tomorrow for a summit with concerned business leaders. He is expected to face tough questions over the actions of his department which, said the chamber, have effectively put a block on development along the A1, A19 and parts of the A66 and A69. NECC research suggests the agency's use of banning orders, known as Article 14 orders, is placing 10,000 potential jobs and £1bn of investment in the region at risk. The chamber also claimed this is contrary to the Northern Way programme, which is designed to bridge the £30bn North-South divide. The meeting with Mr Bagley was arranged by the NECC as part of the ongoing Go For Jobs campaign in association with the Evening Gazette and The Journal. The campaign has highlighted pressing worries that the Highways Agency's use of Article 14 is putting the North-east at a major competitive disadvantage with other parts of the UK. Andrew Sugden, NECC policy director, said: "We are extremely pleased that Mr Bagley is willing to meet developers and other affected businesses in an effort to reach a solution to this ongoing problem. "There are a range of exciting, job-creating developments planned in this region, but unless agreement is reached between all parties we run the risk of stunting our long-term economic development. "That would be disastrous for the North-east." Go For Jobs was launched in November and has gained support from many regional MPs and leading figures within the region. The campaign is calling for an immediate lifting of all Article 14 orders imposed by the Highways Agency in the region and has insisted that the agency stops delaying key developments. Go For Jobs' ultimate aim is for the Government to end a legacy of under-funding on the region's roads and for it to deliver a transport system that is suitable for the 21st century. | 
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