Government green lights over 50 road and rail upgrades focusing on projects outside SE

The Department for Transport has given the green light to a wave of road and rail projects set to ease congestion, cut journey times improving access to jobs and stimulating housing growth in the regions.

Backed by over £92 billion from the Spending Review settlement, among a package of 50 projects the government is delivering five strategic road schemes and five key rail upgrades. In what it claims to be the biggest boost to England’s transport infrastructure in a generation, the government says it is unlocking schemes that deliver for the taxpayer and drive growth.

The five major road schemes confirmed as funded are the M54 to M6 link road in Staffordshire, the M60/M62/M66 Simister Island (Greater Manchester), the A38 Derby Junctions (Derby). the A46 Newark Bypass in Nottinghamshire, and the long awaited A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route.

Confirmed rail projects across England and Wales are in areas outside of London and the South East, which the government says is long overdue. This includes reinstating a passenger rail line between Bristol city centre and Portishead, which last ran over 60 years ago, delivering three brand new train stations, and the Midlands Rail Hub, which creates brand new rail links for more than 50 locations.

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 taxpayer’s money where it matters most and making every day journeys easier.

“With over £92 billion 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.

“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.”

John Foster, Chief Policy and Campaigns Officer, CBI said, “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. This 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.”

Logistics UK Head of Infrastructure and Planning Policy Jonathan Walker 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.

“80% 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 business to drive growth across the whole economy and ensures that the right goods are in the right place at the right time – whether that is a factory, office, hospital or doorstep.”

As part of the announcement and in an oral statement to Parliament, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed two long-awaited road schemes, the A12 widening and the A47 Wansford to Sutton scheme are not progressing.

Alexander said, “I have taken the difficult decision, on the Strategic Road Network, not to progress the A12 widening scheme. This and dualing the A66 were two of the most expensive strategic schemes on the table, and it was impossible to continue with both. We have also decided not to progress the A47 Wansford to Sutton scheme. We are already investing over £500 million on improvements to the A47 corridor, with work to dual sections in Norfolk already underway. But it’s just not feasible to support further investment at this time. I understand some communities will feel frustrated.

“But by taking this decision, we’re rebalancing funds towards those areas that, for too long, haven’t had the infrastructure investment they’ve deserved. The North and Midlands will now get a higher proportion of strategic road spend than we’ve seen in the last five years.”