Skip to main content

Major road schemes to reduce road congestion and boost economy

The Highways Agency is to deliver a further twenty-two schemes in the UK’s north-west to boost the economy, reduce congestion and improve safety in the third, and final, stage of its pinch point programme. The schemes, representing an investment of US$47.7 million, will remove bottlenecks and keep traffic moving on England’s motorways and major A roads. Nationally, this stage of the programme comprises 58 schemes, worth US$151 million, that will be delivered by March 2015 and will bring an estimated US$2.1
April 11, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
The 503 Highways Agency is to deliver a further twenty-two schemes in the UK’s north-west to boost the economy, reduce congestion and improve safety in the third, and final, stage of its pinch point programme.

The schemes, representing an investment of US$47.7 million, will remove bottlenecks and keep traffic moving on England’s motorways and major A roads. Nationally, this stage of the programme comprises 58 schemes, worth US$151 million, that will be delivered by March 2015 and will bring an estimated US$2.1 billion of economic benefit.

Roads Minister Stephen Hammond said: “The Government is committed to cutting congestion and accelerating growth – that is why the Chancellor injected an extra US$154 million into the Highways Agency pinch point programme last autumn.

“This third round of innovative schemes has the potential to help create more than 94,000 new jobs and 61,000 new homes, while making life easier for the thousands of motorists and businesses who use these roads every day.”

The schemes are split into road improvement projects and technology schemes.

Road improvement projects have been developed in conjunction with local enterprise partnerships and local authorities to promote local economic growth. They will improve access to nearby development sites such as enterprise zones and locally designated areas, as well as to international and national gateways.

Technology schemes will install new technology to support the logistics industry and wider economic growth by improving driver information, signage and incident clear up times.

The majority of schemes from the first two stages of the programme are in the detailed design phase with construction due to start soon.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Feasibility study to look at use of dynamic wireless power transfer on UK roads
    March 13, 2015
    The UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has been commissioned by the Highways Agency to undertake a feasibility study into whether dynamic wireless power transfer (WPT) technology can be used on England’s motorways and major A roads, the Strategic Road Network, to prepare for and potentially encourage, greater EV take-up. This study is the first part in a much larger programme of research and trialling for dynamic WPT technology to be undertaken in the UK. TRL was selected to deliver the feasibility st
  • FTA says Highways Agency new name reflects importance of role
    December 10, 2014
    A government announcement has revealed that the UK’s Highways Agency will be replaced with Highways England and will be a government-owned company from April 2015. In support of the changes, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said that “the new name reflects the importance of its new role.” In its first strategic business plan, Highways England sets out how the new body will deliver the Government’s US$23.5 billion road investment programme over the next five years. The plan envisages spend
  • EIB agrees backing to upgrade Scotland’s core motorway network
    February 25, 2014
    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to provide a funding contribution of US$292 million towards the completion of the motorway link between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The project includes the completion of the M8 motorway between Scotland’s two largest cities and major improvements to the M73 and M74 to reduce congestion and safety and improve travel times on one of Scotland’s busiest road networks. “The European Investment Bank is committed to supporting crucial investment in essential infrast
  • Work starts on more UK smart motorways
    July 9, 2014
    Three new major motorway schemes on the M1 and M3 will cut congestion and give Britain's drivers smoother, quicker journeys, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced. Construction will now start on the M1 junctions 28-31 in Derbyshire, M1 junctions 32-35a in South Yorkshire and on the M3 at junction 2-4a in Surrey. The new schemes are central to the Government's long term economic plan and part of US$41 billion of investment in the road network by 2021, which will see spending tripled to U