Government has allocated over £100M of funding to allow 18 new local authority road schemes across England to move to their next stage of development.
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This marks the first wave of funding to be announced for the Department for Transport’s major road network and large local majors programme. The bulk of the money is going to four schemes which now have the go ahead to proceed to construction.
Largest of these is Lancashire County Council’s Preston Western Distributor scheme; a new dual carriageway link designed to reduce congestion in the city and unlock access to employment and residential development sites. The project has received £31M from the Government.
Lancashire County Council leader Geoff Driver said: “This is a major new road scheme that will significantly improve access around the city, as well as creating a new connection onto the national motorway network.
“We’re delighted that the Government has confirmed the final funding that we need to deliver these roads. We can now commence the construction work very soon.”
Meanwhile £25.5M has been given to the 3.5km Stubbington Bypass in Hampshire, with £22.9M going to the Wichelstowe southern access scheme and £22.5M to the White Hart junction scheme, both near Swindon.
Further projects to benefit from the £100M (listed below) include seven at strategic outline business case stage – which have been given development funding – and a further seven at an earlier stage of development.
The Department for Transport said road users will benefit from faster commutes and improved journeys thanks to the 18 schemes, which will also support wider economies through job creation and provide opportunities for greener forms of travel through dedicated routes for walking and cycling.
Further funding allocations are expected to be announced in the next few months.
The funding comes after Chancellor Sajid Javid spoke of the importance of roads investment at the Conservative Party Conference. He said work will soon begin on strategic network upgrades including the A428 between Cambridge and Milton Keynes (pictured), the M60 at Simster Island near Manchester and the A66 across the Pennines.
Schemes at strategic outline business case stage which have been awarded development funding are:
Earlier stage projects given funding for development are:
(Photograph: Highways England)
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