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

  • Yotta DCL to survey 140,000km of UK roads
    June 19, 2012
    Highway surveying company Yotta DCL has signed a four year contract worth around US$3.61 million with the UK Highways Agency to survey and monitor some 140,000km of motorway and other major roads across England. As part of the agreement, the company DCL will perform a traffic speed condition survey (TRACS) to determine the condition of the road surface, assess the areas in particular need of repair and determine where immediate action needs to be taken. The company will use its new state-of-the art Tempest
  • Siemens wins major UK orders
    August 4, 2014
    Siemens has been successful in winning major orders in Somerset and Wales in the UK. A significant order has been placed by Carillion on behalf of Somerset County Council for a range of ELV traffic control equipment required for a new road under construction in Taunton.
  • Variable message signs continue to deliver travel information
    February 2, 2012
    Arguably the 'face' of ITS, variable message signs are far from being a passing solution
  • FIA ‘cautious’ about Germany’s road toll scheme
    December 5, 2016
    FIA Region 1 has responded to the news that German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt and European Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc have reached a deal for a non-discriminatory roll out of a controversial road toll scheme in Germany. Although final details of the deal have yet to be released, FIA Region I cautiously welcomes the deal if it means the replacement of some existing road taxes. The German Minister has committed to earmark revenue from the new road taxation scheme to be re-invested into the