Budget 2015: Osborne reveals transport strategies

Chancellor George Osborne has announced that the government will publish a comprehensive transport strategy for the North.

The strategy, which is due to be published this week, will outline major projects developed in partnership with local authorities in the north.

Speaking in today’s (18 March 2015) budget, the Chancellor also confirmed that

£7 billion will be spent on improving transport in the south west. This money will be spent on improving roads, support for air links, and a new rail franchise “which will bring new intercity express trains and greatly improved rail services”.

Mr Osborne also revealed that the toll for Severn River crossings will be reduced from 2018 with the higher band for small vans and buses abolished.

The government will also set aside £100 million to spend on improving driverless car technology.

Elsewhere, petrol duty has been frozen with September's planned increase scrapped.