Plans for south east road improvements to go on display

Plans for seven road improvement schemes, worth up to £605 million, will go on display in the south east.

Part of the government’s record £15 billion investment in roads, the improvements will be carried out on the M25, M271, A2, A27 and A31.

They include:

• Junction and A27 upgrades between Lewes and Polegate



• Three major junction upgrades on the M25, at junction 10 in Surrey, junction 25 in Hertfordshire and junction 28 in Essex



• Widening the A31 near Ringwood in Dorset



• Further junction upgrades linked to local grown plans on the M271 near Southampton and the A2 in Kent

According to Highways England, each scheme will reduce congestion, improve safety and boost the economy. Over the next few months public consultations will be held to give drivers, residents and businesses their chance to comment to ensure the best possible improvements are taken forward.

The first consultation, due to start on Thursday 27 October, will be about an upgrade worth up to £75m on the A27 between Lewes and Polegate in East Sussex.

Regional director for major projects in the South East, Ken Simmonds, said: “These improvements, which are being made possible by the government’s record £15 billion investment in major roads, will help drivers who make up the 237 million journeys on these sections of road every year. Each scheme has been developed by working with local partners and now you can have your say.”

Public consultations on plans for the latest schemes will launch in the coming months and will be publicised in advance.