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Government confirms £15bn road improvement plan Government confirms £15bn road improvement plan
(about 1 hour later)
The Government has confirmed a £15bn plan to upgrade the UK's road network.The Government has confirmed a £15bn plan to upgrade the UK's road network.
The money, which was initially announced in 2013, will involve 100 road improvement schemes and add 1,300 new miles of extra lanes to motorways and A roads.The money, which was initially announced in 2013, will involve 100 road improvement schemes and add 1,300 new miles of extra lanes to motorways and A roads.
The projects include the long-expected tunnel under Stonehenge on the A303 and improvements to junctions on the M25.The projects include the long-expected tunnel under Stonehenge on the A303 and improvements to junctions on the M25.
The government is calling it 'the biggest road programme for decades'.The government is calling it 'the biggest road programme for decades'.
The plans are published in the first ever Road Investment Strategy. They are designed to unlock some of the most notorious trouble spots on the country's roads.The plans are published in the first ever Road Investment Strategy. They are designed to unlock some of the most notorious trouble spots on the country's roads.
'Strategic routes''Strategic routes'
They include improvements designed to tackle congestion on the A27 along the south coast and better links into Port of Liverpool. There will also be more money to upgrade the A1 in the north east of England.They include improvements designed to tackle congestion on the A27 along the south coast and better links into Port of Liverpool. There will also be more money to upgrade the A1 in the north east of England.
The Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, called the move the "biggest, boldest and most far-reaching roads programme for decades".The Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, called the move the "biggest, boldest and most far-reaching roads programme for decades".
The Chancellor, George Osborne, said it would "transform some of the country's most important strategic routes".The Chancellor, George Osborne, said it would "transform some of the country's most important strategic routes".
The Government says 90% of journeys take place by road.The Government says 90% of journeys take place by road.
RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said he welcomed the announcement.
"This is not about concreting over the countryside with new roads but upgrading many existing routes which have been the source of misery to motorists for years if not decades. That the government is investing money along whole lengths of roads and not just a mile or two here and there is to be welcomed," he added.
Richard Westcott, BBC Transport Correspondent, writes:Richard Westcott, BBC Transport Correspondent, writes:
This is a large amount of money and a large number of schemes. The big question now, from many I've spoken to in the industry, is will they see it through?This is a large amount of money and a large number of schemes. The big question now, from many I've spoken to in the industry, is will they see it through?
Governments have a habit of announcing big plans for the roads, only to shelve them later on when the money gets tight.Governments have a habit of announcing big plans for the roads, only to shelve them later on when the money gets tight.
It happened in the late 1980s when Margaret Thatcher promised the largest road building programme since the Romans.It happened in the late 1980s when Margaret Thatcher promised the largest road building programme since the Romans.
The last Labour government was also going to build a tunnel under Stonehenge, until the costs got silly.The last Labour government was also going to build a tunnel under Stonehenge, until the costs got silly.
Even this coalition started life by announcing road maintenance budget cuts and cancelling projects.Even this coalition started life by announcing road maintenance budget cuts and cancelling projects.
Upcoming changes to the Highways Agency, giving it a guaranteed budget every five years, are meant to put an end to all that uncertainty.Upcoming changes to the Highways Agency, giving it a guaranteed budget every five years, are meant to put an end to all that uncertainty.
Among the major plans:Among the major plans:
It also gives more detail of the plan to turn the Highways Agency into a government-owned company.It also gives more detail of the plan to turn the Highways Agency into a government-owned company.
There is also £100m available to improve cycling provision at 200 key locations across the network, as well as a commitment to cycle-proof any new schemes being developed.There is also £100m available to improve cycling provision at 200 key locations across the network, as well as a commitment to cycle-proof any new schemes being developed.