Highways England unveils £15bn road improvement programme

Highways England (HE) has unveiled its updated £15bn road improvement programme, which has been revised to minimise the impact of roadworks on motorists.

As part of the programme, which also aims to reduce congestion, plans have been revised for 26 road upgrades that are set to take place in the same area.

Highways England chief executive Jim O’Sullivan said: “Our update today is a sensible and responsible way to deliver major national investment in road infrastructure. It will keep our roads moving, deliver a lasting legacy for the country and ensure best value for money for the taxpayer.”

The rescheduling of HE’s road upgrade programme is expected to lead to the completion of the projects earlier than planned.

"Our update today is a sensible and responsible way to deliver major national investment in road infrastructure."

HE noted that it has already completed 18 major schemes, adding more than 190 lane miles of extra capacity to the country’s roads.

In another development, the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) has announced an investment of £345.3m to improve local roads and public transport across the country.

DfT anticipates that the funding package would benefit local road users around the country and support the development of new housing.

Approximately £244m of funding will be allocated for 76 projects across the country, which will be used for improving access to public transport sites, opening up more roads for cyclists.

An additional £101.3m will be used for two new major roads in Middlewich, Cheshire, and Worcester in the Midlands.