More than 50 road and rail upgrades have been given the green light by the UK Government, including local upgrades alongside national infrastructure.
The upgrades include the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route and Portishead to Bristol city centre rail line, the government has announced.
Five major road schemes in the north and Midlands are confirmed as funded, including the M54 to M6 link road in Staffordshire, which will cut journey times across the Midlands.
The M60/M62/M66 Simister Island (Greater Manchester) has also been confirmed as funded, alongside the A38 Derby Junctions (Derby) which will support 15,400 new homes, and A46 Newark Bypass in Nottinghamshire, which could support thousands of new jobs and homes, if planning approval is granted, the UK Government claimed.
To support local journeys, the government is also committing support to continue 28 local road schemes. These projects include the Middlewich Eastern Bypass and A382 Drumbridges to Newton Abbot schemes.
The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine will also be delivered, supporting more than 10,000 new homes, and provide a “key national and international economic route”, it said.
In terms of rail projects, there will be the reinstating of a passenger rail line between Bristol city centre and Portishead, which last ran over 60 years ago, delivering three new train stations, and funding a Midlands Rail Hub, creating rail links for more than 50 locations.
Of the £92.8 billion, the Chancellor has already announced £10.2 billion for rail enhancements. This also includes £24 billion for motorways, trunk roads and local roads across the country.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“With over £92 billion 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.
“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.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:
“Investments like these are only possible because we took the right decisions to stabilise our public finances and changed the fiscal rules so we can invest in Britain’s renewal, grow the economy and put more money in working people’s pockets.
“In addition, the government is investing a further £27 million to reinstate passenger rail services between Portishead and Bristol city centre. The new hourly services will connect an additional 50,000 people to the rail network and support a significant new housing development.”
Logistics UK Head of Infrastructure and Planning Policy Jonathan Walker said:
“The schemes announced today are significant upgrades to national infrastructure and when complete will make supply chains more resilient and boost trade by keeping goods moving as efficiently as possible.
“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.
“An efficient national logistics network is critical to enable business to drive growth across the whole economy and ensures that the right goods are in the right place at the right time – whether that is a factory, office, hospital or doorstep.”
John Foster, Chief Policy and Campaigns Officer, CBI said:
“Improving transport connectivity is key to unlocking the productivity gains needed to deliver sustainable growth across the country. When businesses can move people, goods, and services more efficiently, it helps them to reach new markets faster and attract the talent they need to grow.
“Today’s announcement is a welcome step forward and builds on a strong series of planning reforms aimed at delivering the long-term infrastructure the UK economy needs.”
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