DfT allocates £161m to keep traffic flowing

06/06/2022 | CHRIS AMES

Ministers have committed £160.8m to four major road and bridge schemes on the local road network in England.

Three of the schemes are under the Major Road Network (MRN), with the other classified as a Large Local Major. Both funding streams fall under the National Roads Fund (MRF), which was previously said to be funded by hypothecated Vehicle Excise Duty but is now facing severe cuts.

The schemes include two bridge maintenance projects, with £35.3m for essential maintenance to the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle and the adjacent Central Motorway and £13.4m for essential maintenance to the A35 Redbridge Causeway, which connects Southampton to the New Forest.

Newcastle City Council leader Nick Kemp (pictured) said: ‘Our much-loved bridge, which is a symbol of home for Geordies all over the world, will soon be shining proudly in the Newcastle skyline once again.

‘This funding is not simply for repainting but is a complete refurbishment of the bridge that will involve exploring innovative and environmental approaches in this work.’

There is also £78.5m for a new 3.85-mile road linking St Austell to the A30 and £33.6m to enhance walking and cycling accessibility and tackle congestion across the A34 between Greater Manchester and Stockport.

Roads minister Baroness Vere said: ‘This £160.8m investment will level up those opportunities from the North East to the South West while giving motorists, cyclists and pedestrians the modern, safe and uncongested roads they deserve.’

The Department for Transport (DfT) claimed that the four schemes would generate an estimated £659.3m in economic benefits, which appears to include avoiding the costs that would be incurred by not carrying out essential maintenance on the two bridges.

Officials cited benefits of £130.5m for the Tyne Bridge scheme by avoiding the rerouting of HGVs through residential areas and almost £340m for the Southampton scheme ‘through better connectivity, improved employment and housing opportunities and the expansion of the Port of Southampton’.

The announcement comprised a series of new announcements and re-announcements as local authority bids.

The St Austell link road is the only Large Local Major in the package. Government funding for the scheme, first announced in 2017, predates the NRF, while MRN cash for the A35 Redbridge Causeway was announced last year.

In February 2020, the DfT awarded Stockport MBC a grant to develop a business case for MRN funding for its A34 Corridor Improvement Plan.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Hire Desk Operative

Grade 8 £29,719 - £31,691 per annum
Well-developed IT skills and an excellent working knowledge of the Microsoft Suite are required. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Streetcare Operative / LGV Driver - WMF2214e

£28,598 - £29,540
Applicants must hold a current full LGV Class C driving licence Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (2 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,989 - £26,458 per annum
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker/Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 7 £27,088 - £29,062 per annum
We’re looking for roadworker/drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Senior Engineer - Public Realm

£28,624 - £36,124
We are looking for a Senior Engineer to support the development Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Mobile Cleansing Operative

£24,796 to £25,989 per annum
We’re seeking a permanent Mobile Street Cleansing Operative to join our dedicated team serving a variety of urban and rural locations Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 7 £27,088 - £29,062 per annum
We’re looking for experienced Roadworker/LGV Drivers High Peak, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer - Hosting and Security

£35,412 to £39,152 p.a. (Grade 9)
A vacancy has arisen within our Hosting and Security Team for an experienced, enthusiastic, and flexible Engineer, with the aim of helping to ensure t Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Senior Engineer - Highways Safety

£28,624 - £36,124
Senior Engineer - Highways Safety Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

HGV & Municipal Vehicle Technician

Scale 5 (scp 16-19) £30,518 to £32,061 pa
An LGV category C driving licence is an essential requirement, as is a National Craft Certificate Clitheroe, Lancashire
Recruiter: Ribble Valley Borough Council

Head of Parking

£86,274 - £89,667
Our borough is beginning a huge transformation. Redbridge, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Redbridge London Borough Council

Assistant Director Transport and Infrastructure

£115,958 - £120,407
Dumfries and Galloway Council is ambitious for our region. Dumfries and Galloway
Recruiter: Dumfries & Galloway Council

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £49,178 - £52,937 per annum
Shape the Future of Highways
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Director of Streets and Environment

£129,901 - £135,064
This is an exciting time to be joining Croydon. Croydon (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Croydon Council

Highway Maintenance Manager

£59,568 - £66,801
As our Highway Maintenance & Drainage Manager Civic Centre, Keynsham
Recruiter: Bath & North East Somerset Council

Director of Transport

£103,292 - £114,280
The York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority was established as a new organisation in early 2024. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

Head of Economic Development

Grade 14 £54,867 - £60,971 per annum
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the environment and shaping a sustainable future? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Major Projects Manager

Grade £54,867 - £60,971 per annum
Do you want to make a real difference to ‘place’, be the driving force behind major capital projects and directly impact people’s lives? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Highways Network Engineer - WMF2169e

£45,091 - £46,142
This position offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the resilience and effectiveness of our highway network. Kendal,Penrith or Barrow
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2168e

£28,598 - £29,540
This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in a specialised area of highways operations while contributing directly Kendal, Penrith or Barrow
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW