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 strategic road schemes in the north and Midlands are confirmed as 'funded' - including the A66 and the M54 to M6 link road in Staffordshire (estimated cost around £200m), which will cut journey times and connect thousands to key economic hubs across the Midlands.
The M60/M62/M66 Simister Island in Greater Manchester has also been confirmed as funded (estimated cost up to £340m), alongside the A38 Derby Junctions (estimated cost £250m) and the A46 Newark Bypass in Nottinghamshire (estimated cost up to £500m).
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 cost more than £1.5bn and support over 10,000 new homes. It will 'connect millions across the region as a key national and international economic route,' ministers said.
The DfT declined to give specifics on the funding allocations. Some projects are still subject to a DCO, others are set to be confirmed in RIS 3 (2026-2031).
Strategic road network schemes
- Road (SRN) A38 Derby Junctions - estimated cost £250m
- Road (SRN) M54/M6 Link Road - estimated cost around £200m
- Road (SRN) M60/M62/M66 Simister Island - estimated cost up to £340m
- Road (SRN) A46 Newark Bypass - estimated cost up to £500m
- Road (SRN) A66 Northern Trans-Pennine - estimated cost £1.5bn
Local roads support
To support local journeys, the Government also committed to 'continuing' 28 local road schemes - some of which are already in or about to start construction, while others are still awaiting full business case development and approval. (See the full list at bottom of the page)
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'.
Full list of local road schemes and their progress:
In construction
- Road (Major Road Network/Large Local Major) A595 Grizebeck Bypass:
- Road (MRN/LLM) A164/Jock's Lodge Junction Improvement Scheme:
- Road (MRN/LLM) A34 MRN Cheadle – Handforth Improvement Plan Phase 1
- Road (MRN/LLM) Tyne Bridge and Central Motorway A167 (M)
- Road (MRN/LLM) A350 Chippenham Bypass Improvements - Phs 4 & 5
- Road (MRN/LLM) Dawson's Corner and Stanningley bypass
In or starting construction with final DfT payments due:
- Road (MRN/LLM) (final DfT payment due 25/26) A59 Kex Gill In Construction
- Road (MRN/LLM) (final DfT payment due 25/26) South East Aylesbury Link Road In Construction
- Road (MRN/LLM) (final DfT payment due 25/26) A127/A130 Fariglen Interchange In Construction
- Road (MRN/LLM) (final DfT payment due 25/26) Gallows Corner (TfL scheme) In Construction
- Road (MRN/LLM) Middlewich FBC approval being announced - going into construction
- Road (MRN/LLM) (final DfT payment due 25/26) A382 Drumbridges to Newton Abbot FBC approval announced - going into construction
Continuing/working on full business case
- Road (MRN/LLM) A1237 York Outer Ring Road Dualling Ph 1 Continuing - Working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) A4123 Birchley Island Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) A511 Growth Corridor Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) North Hykeham Relief Road Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) Army & Navy Sustainable Transport Package, Chelmsford Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) A12 Improvements (formerly A12 East of Ipswich and A12 Woodbridge schemes) Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) A259 (King’s Road) Seafront, Highway Structures (‘Arches’) Renewal Programme Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) A38 Manadon Interchange Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) A374/A386/A364 Plymouth MRN Phase 1 Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) A38 North Somerset (formerly Bristol Airport Access) Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) A22 Corridor Package (East Sussex) Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) A350 M4 Junction 17 Improvements Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) North Thanet Link (previously A28 Birchington, Acol and Westgate-on-Sea Relief Road) Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) A10 West Winch Housing Access Road Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) A582 South Ribble Western Distributor Upgrade Continuing - working on Full Business Case
- Road (MRN/LLM) A259 Bognor Regis to Littlehampton Enhancement Continuing - Working on Full Business Case
