The Government has thrown funding and political support behind scores of road and rail schemes, including the long awaited A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route.
Five major road schemes in the north and Midlands are confirmed as 'funded' - including the A66 and the M54 to M6 link road in Staffordshire, which will cut journey times and connect thousands to key economic hubs across the Midlands.
The M60/M62/M66 Simister Island (Greater Manchester) has also been confirmed as funded, alongside the A38 Derby Junctions (Derby) and the A46 Newark Bypass in Nottinghamshire.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'Over 42,000 new jobs and 39,000 new homes are estimated to be supported thanks to the funding committed for major road schemes, helping deliver the government’s Plan for Change to boost economic growth, and build 1.5 million more houses over 5 years.'
The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine alone could support over 10,000 new homes and 'connect millions across the region as a key national and international economic route,' ministers said.
Local roads support
To support local journeys, the Government also committed to continuing 28 local road schemes.
These schemes are not motorways or trunk A-roads, but junctions, bypasses and traffic-easing projects, including the Middlewich Eastern Bypass and A382 Drumbridges to Newton Abbot scheme.
The Government also announced key rail projects across the country, including three brand new train stations and a Midlands Rail Hub, creating new rail links for more than 50 locations.
Ms Alexander added: 'Transport is the backbone of our economy, which is why we are giving them the record funding boost they need, putting taxpayers’ money where it matters most and making everyday journeys easier.
'With over £92 bn investment, including the biggest ever boost for city regions in the north and Midlands, we’re delivering the schemes that fast-track economic growth and jobs, connect communities, and will help us build 1.5 million new homes, as we deliver our Plan for Change.
'We’re forging ahead with the vital new transport infrastructure Britain needs, and improving what we’ve already got, to deliver a new era of renewal and opportunity.'
Of a £92.8bn package from the Spending Review settlement, the chancellor already confirmed £24bn for motorways, trunk roads and local roads across the country.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'These vital investments are long overdue, will transform local communities and improve living standards across the country.'
Logistics UK head of infrastructure and planning policy Jonathan Walker said that when complete, the schemes 'will make supply chains more resilient and boost trade by keeping goods moving as efficiently as possible'.
He added that '80% of UK freight travels on roads at some point on its journey to the end user and congestion increases costs and makes journey planning highly unpredictable'.
'Over the moon' in the Midlands
Commenting on the commitment to the A46 Newark Bypass, the CEO of Midlands Connect Maria Machancoses said: 'We are over the moon that funding has been allocated for the scheme and it’s something we have continually advocated for as a critical project for the Midlands.
'This announcement is the beginning of the end of the daily grind for commuters and residents who have endured sitting in tailbacks, making their lives a nightmare. We look forward to working with partners to deliver this regionally significant project.'
The stretch of A46 between the Farndon Junction, to the west of Newark-on-Trent and the A1 to the east of Newark-on-Trent, is the last remaining stretch of single carriageway between the M1 and A1.
Ms Machancoses added that Midlands Connect 'has long called Newark bypass the last piece of the puzzle - supporting housing, local jobs and vital connectivity to the Grimsby and Humber ports'.
Research from the sub-national transport body has previously found that traffic speeds 'are frequently below 20mph around Newark'.
Midlands Connect also welcomed support for the A38 Derby Junctions (Derby) project. The three roundabout junctions requiring upgrades to the west and north of Derby city centre are the:
- A38/A5111 Kingsway roundabout
- A38/A52 Markeaton roundabout
- A38/A61 Little Eaton roundabout
The route serves as a key link between the East and West Midlands and is described as a 'hotspot for congestion'.
