Government launches transport investment plan for Britain
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New strategy sets how transport investment can deliver a stronger,
fairer Britain. In good news for motorists, plans include the
creation of the ‘Major Road Network’ with access to a multi-billion
pound road fund, funded by Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), for
improvements such as bypasses. Strategy sets out the need for
future projects to show how they contribute to creating a more
balanced economy. ...Request free
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New strategy sets how transport investment can deliver a stronger, fairer Britain.
Local roads are set to benefit from a share in a multi-billion pound improvement fund as part of a landmark investment strategy unveiled by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.
The Transport Investment Strategy sets out a new long-term approach for government infrastructure spending – meaning cash will be targeted at projects that help rebalance the economy.
And it features the proposed creation of a new Major Road Network, which would see a share of the annual National Road Fund, funded by Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), given to local authorities to improve or replace the most important A-roads under their management.
The plans aim to improve productivity and connectivity of towns and cities across the country – tackling bottlenecks and traffic jams for road users, and taking away the misery of lorries and through-traffic thundering through rural villages on main roads.
The scheme will also aim to help people get to work or school by better connecting towns and cities, unlock land for new homes, and improve business links - forming a crucial strand of the Government’s strategy to rebalance the economy by ensuring wealth is spread across the UK and not just concentrated in the south east of England.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:
The strategy sets out how investment can deliver a stronger, fairer Britain – with priority for projects which cut congestion, support growth, boost Britain’s global competitiveness or unlock new housing.
The proposals for the Major Road Network respond to the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund study last year, which highlighted the disparity between the funding and planning of Britain’s motorways - the Strategic Road Network - and local authority A roads.
The new plans mean that main roads currently overseen by local authorities would share the Vehicle Excise Duty-funded National Roads Fund which was previously envisaged to be ring-fenced for national routes. UK vehicle excise duty was £5.8bn for 2016-17.
The Transport Investment Strategy also plans for a new ‘rebalancing’ measure, which will judge how investment programmes contribute to a more balanced economy, and prioritises investment that increases productivity or growth, supports new housing, improves reliability and tackles congestion. Investment should support every part of the country, and, where needed, fast track smaller schemes that are proven solutions so passengers and drivers get the benefits more quickly.
It is set to form a vital part of the Modern Industrial Strategy and builds on the progress made in recent years of upgrading the road and rail network. The Government is investing more than £61bn over the five years to 2020/21 and has already taken big decisions on transformational projects like HS2 and announced our preference for a new runway at Heathrow.
The transport investment strategy sets out why investing in transport infrastructure matters and the priorities for future investment. Under four separate themes, it sets out propositions to guide future transport investment decision making.
Ensuring our investment consistently meets the needs of users and helps to create a balanced economy
Getting best value out of the network and our investment, by:
Maintaining a resolute focus on delivery
Adaptability in the face of change
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