£220 million to help motorists beat congestion

Traffic hotspots across England have been identified by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to receive millions of pounds for junction upgrades, roundabout improvements and better traffic signalling.

The schemes, worth about £110 million, will cut congestion and journey times for motorists and improve safety. They will be completed by spring 2020.

This includes 2 larger projects, worth £30 million, which will create an unbroken stretch of dual carriageway on the A69 between Hexham and Newcastle. A further £14 million will go towards creating a new junction on the M11 to provide another route into Harlow, cutting journey times as well as unlocking housing developments.

A further £110 million will be invested on improving more roads, with details revealed at a later date.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:

We are making the most extensive improvements to roads in the last 40 years, investing a record £23 billion to keep our country moving and make journeys faster, better and more reliable for everyone.

We are also spending a further £1.3 billion over the course of this parliament to relieve congestion and provide important upgrades to ensure our roads are fit for the future.

These schemes announced today will provide quick relief to millions of drivers and save them from getting stuck in traffic.

Nick Harris, Highways England Operations Director, said:

This continued investment in our motorways and major roads is bringing real benefits to communities up and down the country, and we will continue working with our partners to improve journeys for everyone who uses our roads.

The funding is broken down as follows:

£90 million for the North

In the North West, Highways England has identified 4 schemes, worth £6.4 million, to tackle congestion - 2 to improve the A595/A66 junctions at Great Clifton and the Fitz Roundabout, as well as the A585 at Norcross and junction 3 of the M55. These projects will all start by winter 2018 and be completed by spring 2019. A further £21 million has been set aside to improve roads in the North West.

Yorkshire and the North East will benefit from the £30 million A69 upgrades as well as £14.8 million invested in enhancing 7 congested junctions as well as a further £18.2 million on other areas to be identified shortly. Improving the A63 Garrison Road in Hull will save more than half a million hours of delays in the first year alone.

£23 million for the Midlands

Four schemes, worth £9.9 million, will cut congestion in the Midlands, reducing queues at Old Stratford and Ogley Hay on the A5, junction 3 of the M42 and junction 27 on the M1. Details of schemes benefitting from an additional £14 million will be announced in due course.

£53 million for the South East

The South East will benefit from £11.6 million on four projects and £41.6 million for future schemes.

£32 million for the South West

M5 in the South West will see almost £20 million of improvements to ensure better journeys for motorists. About £12 million will be allocated shortly.

£16 million for the East

On top of the £14 million investment in the M11 junction 7a scheme at Harlow, the East will benefit from £2.8 million of investment to ease congestion.