Five major strategic road schemes in the North of England and the Midlands, along with 28 smaller road improvement schemes, have been given the go-ahead by the government today (8 July), backed by £24bn of funding from the Spending Review.
The five strategic road projects include the M54 to M6 link road in Staffordshire; the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route; the M60/M62/M66 Simister Island in Greater Manchester; the A38 Derby Junctions; and the A46 Newark Bypass in Nottinghamshire. All are subject to planning permission.
The government is also committing support to continue 28 local road schemes, which include the Middlewich Eastern Bypass and A382 Drumbridges to Newton Abbot schemes. The 28 local road schemes primarily involve junctions, bypasses, and traffic-easing projects.
The £24bn investment in roads is part of a wider £92bn funding pot, which will also be used to finance several key rail projects across the country.
The government said the investment in road and rail schemes will help create over 42,000 new jobs and 39,000 new homes, as part of its Plan for Change, which aims to kickstart the UK’s economy.
It added that the schemes will see journey times slashed, saving commuters, businesses, and freight thousands of hours every week, and boosting economic growth across the whole country.
Announcing the investment package, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Roads and railways are the backbone of our economy, which is why we are giving them the record funding boost they need, putting taxpayers’ money where it matters most and making everyday journeys easier.
“With over £92bn investment, including the biggest ever boost for city regions in the north and Midlands, we’re delivering the schemes that fast-track economic growth and jobs, connect communities, and will help us build 1.5 million new homes, as we provide our Plan for Change.
“We’re forging ahead with the vital new transport infrastructure Britain needs, and improving what we’ve already got, to deliver a new era of renewal and opportunity.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves added: “These vital investments are long overdue, will transform local communities and improve living standards across the country.
“Investments like these are only possible because we took the right decisions to stabilise our public finances and changed the fiscal rules so we can invest in Britain’s renewal, grow the economy and put more money in working people’s pockets.”
RHA welcomed today’s announcement. Richard Smith, RHA managing director, said: “The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine, the M60/M62/M66 Simister Island, and the A46 Newark Bypass ministers have earmarked for backing are key projects we identified as vital for our sector in our Future of Roads report.
“We have campaigned for them to be given funding, and we are glad that the government has listened.
“We’re also pleased to see support pledged for the M54 – M6 Link Road in Staffordshire and the A38 in Derby.
Improving our roads will unlock economic potential and drive growth across the country, and is crucial for facilitating the government’s pledge to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029. T
“Hey, it will be key for our sector to play its part to help them meet that target and keep new households supplied with the goods, infrastructure and services they will need.
“Congestion costs the country £30.8bn a year in delays and disruption, so the government must invest in a road building programme that shortens journey times, better connects communities and lays the groundwork to boost business and create jobs.
“Ministers will shortly announce their long-term plans for improving our road networks in the upcoming third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3). We urge them to be ambitious when they set out their vision.”
Jonathan Walker, Logistics UK head of infrastructure and planning policy, said: “The schemes announced today are significant upgrades to national infrastructure and when complete will make supply chains more resilient and boost trade by keeping goods moving as efficiently as possible.
“Eighty per cent of UK freight travels on roads at some point on its journey to the end user, and congestion increases costs and makes journey planning highly unpredictable.
“An efficient national logistics network is critical to enable businesses to drive growth across the whole economy and ensures that the correct goods are in the right place at the right time – whether that is a factory, office, hospital or doorstep.
John Foster, CBI chief policy and campaigns officer, commented: “Improving transport connectivity is key to unlocking the productivity gains needed to deliver sustainable growth across the country. When businesses can move people, goods, and services more efficiently, it helps them to reach new markets faster and attract the talent they need to grow.
“Today’s announcement is a welcome step forward and builds on a strong series of planning reforms aimed at delivering the long-term infrastructure the UK economy needs.”
The list of road and rail schemes announced today can be found here.
Carol Millett is an award-winning freelance journalist with over 30 years’ experience writing across a broad range of sectors, including road transport, construction and civil engineering, project management, private finance, technology, HR, and travel and tourism.