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Traffic hotspots across England have been identified by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to receive millions of pounds for junction upgrades, roundabout improvements and better traffic signalling.
The schemes, worth about 110 million, will cut congestion and journey times for motorists and improve safety. They will be completed by spring 2020.
This includes 2 larger projects, worth 30 million, which will create an unbroken stretch of dual carriageway on the A69 between Hexham and Newcastle. A further 14 million will go towards creating a new junction on the M11 to provide another route into Harlow, cutting journey times as well as unlocking housing developments.
A further 110 million will be invested on improving more roads, with details revealed at a later date.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said:
We are making the most extensive improvements to roads in the last 40 years, investing a record 23 billion to keep our country moving and make journeys faster, better and more reliable for everyone.
We are also spending a further 1.3 billion over the course of this parliament to relieve congestion and provide important upgrades to ensure our roads are fit for the future.
These schemes announced today will provide quick relief to millions of drivers and save them from getting stuck in traffic.
Nick Harris, Highways England Operations Director, said:
This continued investment in our motorways and major roads is bringing real benefits to communities up and down the country, and we will continue working with our partners to improve journeys for everyone who uses our roads.
The funding is broken down as follows:
90 million for the North
In the North West, Highways England has identified 4 schemes, worth 6.4 million, to tackle congestion - 2 to improve the A595/A66 junctions at Great Clifton and the Fitz Roundabout, as well as the A585 at Norcross and junction 3 of the M55. These projects will all start by winter 2018 and be completed by spring 2019. A further 21 million has been set aside to improve roads in the North West.
| North West | Estimated cost millions |
|---|---|
| A595 / A66 Fitz Roundabout (Low Rd) | 1 |
| A595 / A66 Great Clifton Widening | 1.6 |
| A585 Norcross Capacity Improvement | 3 |
| M55 Junction 3 Signals | 0.8 |
| Future small schemes | 21 |
| North West total | 27.4 |
Yorkshire and the North East will benefit from the 30 million A69 upgrades as well as 14.8 million invested in enhancing 7 congested junctions as well as a further 18.2 million on other areas to be identified shortly. Improving the A63 Garrison Road in Hull will save more than half a million hours of delays in the first year alone.
| Yorkshire and North East | Estimated cost millions |
|---|---|
| A69/A68 Junction Improvements near Corbridge | 15 |
| A69/A6079 Junction Improvements near Hexham | 15 |
| A63 Garrison Road Signals and Road Improvement | 6.35 |
| M18 Junction 3 Improvements | 0.25 |
| M62 Junction 27 Widening | 2.65 |
| M62 Junction 28 Widening | 2.25 |
| A66/B6280 Morton Palms Widening | 0.5 |
| A19/ A179 Sheraton Signals | 0.8 |
| M1 Junction 36 Slip Road Improvement | 2 |
| Future small schemes | 18.2 |
| Yorkshire and North East total | 63 |
23 million for the Midlands
Four schemes, worth 9.9 million, will cut congestion in the Midlands, reducing queues at Old Stratford and Ogley Hay on the A5, junction 3 of the M42 and junction 27 on the M1. Details of schemes benefitting from an additional 14 million will be announced in due course.
| Midlands | Estimated cost millions |
|---|---|
| A5 Old Stratford Widening | 3.3 |
| M1 Junction 27 Capacity Improvements | 0.9 |
| A5/A5195 Ogley Hay Traffic Signals | 1.5 |
| M42 Junction 3 Improvement | 4.2 |
| Future small schemes | 14 |
| Midlands total | 23.9 |
53 million for the South East
The South East will benefit from 11.6 million on four projects and 41.6 million for future schemes.
| South East | Estimated cost millions |
|---|---|
| M27 Junction 7 Improvements | 2.5 |
| A3 Northbound Off Slip at University Interchange (Guildford) | 1.6 |
| A3 Stoke Interchange Southbound Off Slip Improvements (Guildford) | 2.5 |
| A20 Port of Dover Technology Improvements | 5 |
| Future small schemes | 41.6 |
| South East total | 53.2 |
32 million for the South West
M5 in the South West will see almost 20 million of improvements to ensure better journeys for motorists. About 12 million will be allocated shortly.
| South West | Estimated cost millions |
|---|---|
| M5 Junction 19 Improvements | 2.8 |
| M5 Junction 17 18 Driver Information and Queue Protection Scheme | 4.3 |
| M5 Junction 24 25 Driver Information and Queue Protection Scheme | 7.1 |
| M5 Junction 23 24 Driver Information and Queue Protection Scheme | 5.5 |
| Future small schemes | 12.4 |
| South West total | 32.1 |
16 million for the East
On top of the 14 million investment in the M11 junction 7a scheme at Harlow, the East will benefit from 2.8 million of investment to ease congestion.
| East | Estimated cost millions |
|---|---|
| M11 Junction 7a, Harlow, Essex | 14 |
| A11 Fiveways Roundabout, Barton Mills Signalisation | 0.4 |
| Future small schemes | 2.4 |
| East total | 16.8 |
