Skip to main content

Congestion-busting roads boost across England

A widespread congestion-busting road improvement programme worth hundreds of millions of pounds has now tackled 39 bottlenecks, with more than another 80 to be completed in the next seven months. According to the Highways Agency, the US$515 million ‘pinch point’ programme will cut congestion, increase safety and improve journey times and help support the creation of 300,000 new jobs and 144,000 homes. The improvement plans, part of the biggest programme of road enhancements since the 1970s, were dra
September 15, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
A widespread congestion-busting road improvement programme worth hundreds of millions of pounds has now tackled 39 bottlenecks, with more than another 80 to be completed in the next seven months.  

According to the 503 Highways Agency, the US$515 million ‘pinch point’ programme will cut congestion, increase safety and improve journey times and help support the creation of 300,000 new jobs and 144,000 homes.

The improvement plans, part of the biggest programme of road enhancements since the 1970s, were drawn up by the Highways Agency working with local councils and communities.

The 121 schemes are distributed across England’s major road network and include the A30 Loggans Moor roundabout and approach roads in Hayle, Cornwall, and the A1/A47 junction at Wansford, Cambridgeshire, as well as schemes in Hampshire, West Midlands and Hull.

Roads minister John Hayes said: “We are investing record amounts in motorways and major roads – and every one of these pinch point schemes will deliver benefits to thousands of drivers. Some of the benefits are immediate – such as improved road markings to help traffic flow better through a junction; in other cases the roads are being improved now so they can accommodate local development in the future.

“The completed schemes will together help support the creation of more than 300,000 new jobs and 144,000 new homes – so it’s good news for all road users, for local communities and the economy.”

Highways Agency divisional director Matt Sweeting said: “The pinch point programme, the bulk of which will be completed over the next seven months, provides smaller scale improvements that can deliver big returns by easing congestion and making journey times more reliable for road users, including hauliers and commuters; all of this will help boost local economies and drive economic growth.”

Related Content

  • Highways England is performing well but has areas for improvement, finds regulator
    July 21, 2017
    The Annual Assessment of Highways England’s Performance by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has found that the company is performing well against most of its performance targets. ORR says however that continued improvement is needed to plan when work takes place throughout the year. ORR, which is the official Monitor of Highways England, found that the company is meeting its targets to keep traffic flowing while delivering its programme of major improvements. It is continuing to focus on improving safety a
  • A ‘transport revolution’ for Newcastle
    July 21, 2014
    Sweeping changes that will make the north-east city of Newcastle one of the easiest cities to get around look set to get the green light this week. Described by Newcastle City Council as the biggest change in a generation, the US$30.7 million programme of transport works and smart traffic signal technology is intended to make Newcastle one of the most accessible cities in the UK within five years. A report to the city council Cabinet highlights the huge benefits for pedestrians, cyclists, users of pub
  • North Yorkshire to benefit from major transport funding
    July 17, 2014
    Building the A684 bypass in North Yorkshire can start after the UK Department for Transport agreed to fund over US$50 million towards the full scheme cost of US$58.5 million. The bypass will remove traffic from villages and improve journey times on a vital east-west tourist route to the Yorkshire Dales. The scheme consists of a new 4.8 kilometre single carriageway road from the A684 north of Bedale to the A684 east of Leeming Bar, which links into junction 51 of the A1(M). Transport Minister Baroness
  • Government funding for Lincoln transport hub
    August 25, 2016
    The UK government has announced funding for the Lincoln transport hub, including a new bus station and 1,000 space car park. There will also be improvements to Lincoln Central railway station and a pedestrianised plaza connecting the bus and rail stations. As part of the upgrade, the new bus station will provide live travel information for both bus and rail passengers, while the 1,000 space multi-storey will have up to 32 electric vehicle charging points to power the next generation of vehicles. Cycle