Skip to main content

Road and rail projects to boost local and regional transport

Dozens of UK towns and cities are set to benefit from government funding to tackle congested local roads and improve key points in the strategic road network, as well as new initiatives to drive forward rail electrification. Measures announced by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin include US$80 million from the Local Pinch Point Fund for 25 congestion-busting local roads schemes, building on 87 already announced this year; confirmation of nearly US$181 million for the M6-Heysham link road, along with
December 13, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Dozens of UK towns and cities are set to benefit from government funding to tackle congested local roads and improve key points in the strategic road network, as well as new initiatives to drive forward rail electrification.

Measures announced by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin include US$80 million from the Local Pinch Point Fund for 25 congestion-busting local roads schemes, building on 87 already announced this year; confirmation of nearly US$181 million for the M6-Heysham link road, along with funding for projects to improve the M55 J1, A1, and M62 J19; and electrification of the Wigan-to-Bolton railway line. A taskforce will report to the Transport Secretary within twelve months on the acceleration of further rail electrification schemes in the North of England.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Whether it’s unblocking bottlenecks on local roads, improving trouble spots on our motorways and trunk roads, or working to deliver better railways through electrification, these projects will benefit communities up and down the country and help keep Britain moving. By investing in our local and regional transport infrastructure we can help support new jobs and boost our overall competitiveness in the global economic race.”

Related Content

  • Government unveils new measures to further improve road safety
    December 22, 2015
    The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has unveiled a raft of measures to improve the safety of Britain’s roads, including US$3 million for research into driver education, including the possibility of giving learner drivers motorway experience with an instructor before taking their test.
  • 'Smart' motorways on their way to Greater Manchester
    November 8, 2013
    Details of a multi-million pound project have been unveiled that will cut congestion and improve journey times on parts of the M60 and M62 in Greater Manchester. The smart motorways scheme – the first of its kind in the north-west – will be introduced on a 17-mile stretch of the network between junction 8 of the M60 near Sale and junction 20 of the M62 near Rochdale. The system will use the latest technology to monitor traffic levels, provide traffic information to road users, and ease congestion by usin
  • Inrix offers to help local authorities win congestion funding
    April 3, 2017
    In a recent blog, Professor Graham Cookson, chief economist and head of research at Inrix says that following the announcement by the UK government that local authorities may be concerned that US$866 million (£690 million) funding to tackle congestion will be made available through competitive funding. The UK’s Local Government Association said in its recent Budget briefing: ‘Competitive bidding is a time consuming process and does little to provide certainty of funding needed to attract additional priva
  • Transport boost for Cornwall and Scilly
    August 14, 2014
    UK transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has announced a US$16.7 million package to improve sea links between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, upgrade roads on the island and carry out ports repairs. Announcing the funding, McLoughlin said: “This funding will make a huge difference to the people of Scilly and also to visitors to the island, so vital to the local economy. Good transport links and high quality infrastructure are key for the island. “These improvements will not only make it easier for