- New £9.5 million Government investment will improve safety on
two of the North of England's most high risk roads.
- Road users across the North of England will now benefit
from new cycle and walkways and a motorcycle safety barrier,
expected to prevent almost 100 fatal and serious injuries over
the next 20 years, and promote more active travel to reduce NHS
waiting lists and deliver the Plan for Change.
- Comes ahead of the Government's Road Safety
Strategy, to reduce the number of people killed or seriously
injured on our roads, ensuring the UK's roads remain
among the safest in the world.
Two of England's most high-risk roads will benefit from
£9.5m in government investment to improve safety, the
Department for Transport has announced today (Friday 18th
July).
A boost of £7.6 million will deliver life-saving improvements on
the iconic A57 Snake Pass in Derbyshire, and £1.8
million will go towards the final phase of safety improvements to
the A583 Blackpool Road in Lancashire,
ensuring safer journeys for drivers across the North of
England.
This funding will deliver a vital package of safety improvements,
including speed limit signage, improved
visibility, stabilisation of the carriageway, and a
dedicated motorcycle safety barrier.
The Future of Roads Minister, , said:
“Anyone driving on the A57 Snake Pass knows how risky it can
feel. Now this iconic road, as well as the A583
Blackpool Road, will benefit from life
saving road improvements, making
journeys safer for thousands of road users
across the North, and more peace of mind for their loved ones.
"To go even further, we're delivering our
first Road Safety Strategy in over a decade, to ensure
the UK's roads remain among the safest in the world."
A vital cross-Pennine route running through the heart of
the Peak District, connecting Sheffield, Derbyshire and
Manchester, the A57 Snake Pass is an iconic scenic route which
connects thousands across the North and Midlands.
Over the next 20 years, the funding is expected to prevent more
than 93 fatal and serious collisions over the next 20 years, as
well as reduce congestion and lower emissions.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy , said:
"The A57 Snake Pass is a vital cross-Pennine route connecting two
of the North's biggest economies, so it's absolutely vital that
people can travel safely and reliably between here, Sheffield and
beyond across South Yorkshire. This welcome investment will
deliver much needed improvements that will help to save lives and
reduce serious injuries. I look forward to these life-saving
changes being delivered.”
A583 Blackpool Road is a key route linking Preston and
Blackpool, and this new phase of funding will deliver enhanced
active travel infrastructure, reduced speed limits, junction
cameras, and improved pedestrian facilities.
Support is expected to prevent 3 fatal and serious injuries over
the next 20 years, and reduce emissions and congestion, while
providing more options for active travel, to help more
people get to work, school and appointments in a safe and healthy
way.
South Yorkshire's Mayor, , said:
“The Snake Pass is a vital connection between Sheffield and
Manchester, connecting two of the biggest cities in the north.
“It's a road that's used by thousands of us every day, but
one that's been plagued by closures, stop-start repairs and an
uncertain future. I would like even better connections between
the big cities of the north, but this funding is an important
step in the right direction, helping to create safer, more
reliable journeys, and protecting a fundamentally important
connection across the Peak District.”
Both schemes will help deliver the Government's Plan for Change
by easing pressure on the NHS and helping to reduce waiting
lists. They will boost economic growth and help put more money
back into the pockets of working people.
