The investment will see improvements being developed along a series of motorways and A roads between now and 2021.
Highlights include:
- A new junction on the M49 at Avonmouth
- Improvements to the M5 J23 at Bridgwater
- An upgrade to an 8.7 mile section of single carriageway on the A30 between Carland Cross and Chiverton Cross roundabouts
- Development of a scheme on the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down route that passes Stonehenge, including building a tunnel
- Dualling the A303 between Sparkford and IIchester
- Dualling the A358 from the M5 at Taunton to A303 at Southfields
- Investigations into the benefits of connecting the two dual carriageway sections of the A417 near Birdlip, Gloucestershire
Across the South West, Highways England will also pump millions into maintenance schemes, environmental improvements and provision for cyclists.
Highways England regional director, Andrew Page-Dove, said: “Our road network connects, people, places and business and this new investment will bring huge improvements to journeys around the South West.
The government has committed record funding to specific projects to ensure our roads continue to play a key role in supporting connections in and out of the South West.
“As Highways England, we’re delivering that investment to help unlock billions for the economy by increasing road capacity, reducing congestion and improving safety and accessibility for those that use or live alongside our roads.”
Roads Minister Andrew Jones said: “As part of our long-term economic plan, we are making the biggest investment in roads in a generation. The £2 billion investment in the South West of England will significantly improve journeys and help create jobs.
“We’re upgrading key roads like the A303 and A30 and building a new junction on the M49 near Bristol. This will create a new strategic corridor to the South West and complete the dual carriageway into Cornwall so that hardworking families can have better access to jobs, shops and leisure facilities.”
