Drivers will benefit from faster journeys across several regions of major routes after the Government gave the green light to a £90million funding boost to four road schemes.
The Department for Transport has provided new funding worth £90million to upgrade four major road schemes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he wants to "build, baby, build".
It is hoped the schemes will "significantly" speed up journeys, boost the local economy and improve links between the east and west of England.
Businesses and road users will be able to save "hundreds of hours" off journeys every week with the Government looking to build on its Plan for Change to improve living standards across the country.
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Journey times on the A350 Chippenham Bypass, one of the most important routes connecting the South West with the Midlands and South East, are expected to be cut by up to a quarter.
The money will be used to "dual" two sections of the road, with further improvements being made to the roundabout.
Reduced traffic will contribute to better road safety and access to jobs in the area, with the national road freight network being boosted by greater access.
Lilian Greenwood, Future of Roads Minister, said: "The UK’s roads are the backbone of a growing economy, which is why we’re giving these vital schemes the go ahead, helping deliver our Plan for Change.
"Economic growth has been stunted for too long, so we’re giving the green light and investing in vital schemes to help people get from A to B more easily however they choose to travel."
The DfT noted that the area around the A647 Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass in Leeds has seen high traffic levels worsen over the years with a particular impact on bus services.
The SEALR project will reduce air pollution, link new developments and create more options for people walking and cycling. Locals could also be boosted by the development of up to 1,000 homes added to the area.
Faster journeys will also come for motorists in Essex with safety enhancements being made to the interchange and surrounding roundabouts, serving thousands of drivers every day.
To mark the extra funding, Lilian Greenwood visited the Fairglen Interchange in Essex to learn how it will benefit the local area and celebrate the approval of the scheme.
Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director of Policy at Logistics UK, highlighted how 80 per cent of UK freight travels on roads along its journey, with an efficient road network being "crucial" to ensure it continues to run smoothly.
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She added: "Congestion makes journey planning highly unpredictable which increases business costs through factors such as missed deliveries, unnecessary overtime, increased fuel consumption and inefficient fleet utilisation.
"The schemes given the go-ahead today show how even smaller-scale strategic upgrades can have a dramatic impact across the whole network.
"Upgrading the national infrastructure in this way makes supply chains more resilient and enables logistics providers to ensure that the right goods are in the right place at the right time – whether that is a factory, office, hospital or doorstep."
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The Department for Transport has provided new funding worth £90million to upgrade four major road schemes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he wants to "build, baby, build".
It is hoped the schemes will "significantly" speed up journeys, boost the local economy and improve links between the east and west of England.
Businesses and road users will be able to save "hundreds of hours" off journeys every week with the Government looking to build on its Plan for Change to improve living standards across the country.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
The approved schemes include:
- A350 Chippenham Bypass phases 4 and 5 in Wiltshire
- A647 Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass in Leeds
- South East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR) in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
- A127/A130 Fairglen Interchange in Essex
Journey times on the A350 Chippenham Bypass, one of the most important routes connecting the South West with the Midlands and South East, are expected to be cut by up to a quarter.
The money will be used to "dual" two sections of the road, with further improvements being made to the roundabout.
Reduced traffic will contribute to better road safety and access to jobs in the area, with the national road freight network being boosted by greater access.
Lilian Greenwood, Future of Roads Minister, said: "The UK’s roads are the backbone of a growing economy, which is why we’re giving these vital schemes the go ahead, helping deliver our Plan for Change.
"Economic growth has been stunted for too long, so we’re giving the green light and investing in vital schemes to help people get from A to B more easily however they choose to travel."
The DfT noted that the area around the A647 Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass in Leeds has seen high traffic levels worsen over the years with a particular impact on bus services.
The SEALR project will reduce air pollution, link new developments and create more options for people walking and cycling. Locals could also be boosted by the development of up to 1,000 homes added to the area.
Faster journeys will also come for motorists in Essex with safety enhancements being made to the interchange and surrounding roundabouts, serving thousands of drivers every day.
To mark the extra funding, Lilian Greenwood visited the Fairglen Interchange in Essex to learn how it will benefit the local area and celebrate the approval of the scheme.
Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director of Policy at Logistics UK, highlighted how 80 per cent of UK freight travels on roads along its journey, with an efficient road network being "crucial" to ensure it continues to run smoothly.
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She added: "Congestion makes journey planning highly unpredictable which increases business costs through factors such as missed deliveries, unnecessary overtime, increased fuel consumption and inefficient fleet utilisation.
"The schemes given the go-ahead today show how even smaller-scale strategic upgrades can have a dramatic impact across the whole network.
"Upgrading the national infrastructure in this way makes supply chains more resilient and enables logistics providers to ensure that the right goods are in the right place at the right time – whether that is a factory, office, hospital or doorstep."
Find Out More...