Six major road schemes added to work pipeline

Development work will start on six major Highways Agency road improvement schemes across the country.


Roads minister Mike Penning said the schemes will ensure a pipeline of future Highways Agency major improvement work.

But construction will not get underway until after the next spending review in 2015.

The six schemes are:

· M4 Junctions 3-12 managed motorway scheme; Thames Valley

· M25 Junction 30 / A13 congestion relief scheme, Thurrock;

· A19/A1058 Coast Road Junction improvement; North Tyneside; and

· A21 Tonbridge – Pembury widening; Kent

· A63 Castle Street improvements, Hull; and

· A160/A180 improvements, Immingham

Penning said: “We are committed to tackling congestion, keeping traffic moving and supporting the UK economy, putting in money where it’s most needed and where the public will get a good return on investment.

“I am confirming development work will be advanced on a further six schemes around the country. This means they will be in a good position to be selected for start of works in the early years of the next spending review period.”

The development work will focus on designing and consulting on proposals, along with progressing any necessary statutory processes.

Richard Hayes, senior vice presdient of The Institute of Highway Engineers said: “We are pleased to see the Government starting to allocate much-needed extra investment in the road network.

“The additional works to be undertaken will significantly relieve congestion at these specific sites, though once again this is aimed at the section of our road network, the Strategic Road Network, where a good level of investment already exists and which still leaves the local network struggling following years of under investment whilst dealing with the impact of weather on a deteriorating network.

“We would like to see the Minister invest more in maintaining the existing highway network. The injection of additional cash would help all local authorities move from reactive to proactive maintenance programmes at an earlier opportunity and ultimately save the country money.”