The way England's motorways and A-roads are built and managed is due to change substantially next month, following a green light for the 'Highways England' initiative.

Highways England is a new "arms-length" government company that will take over the running of motorways and major trunk roads on 1 April.

The move is part of road reforms that the government says will save the taxpayer £2.6bn over the next 10 years.

Transport Minister John Hayes said: "These reforms will mean the biggest, boldest and most far-reaching roads upgrade for decades. Ensuring we have well maintained roads and motorways is essential to a modern transport system that will boost our economy, create jobs and give more choice about where we live and work whilst delivering billions in savings.

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"I am clear that government will set the strategy, gauge its implementation and direct necessary changes. Highways England will be answerable to Parliament, fully accountable for its work and will report to ministers."

The move follows the Autumn Statement in December, which laid out the 'Road investment strategy' to detail how Highways England will spend £15.2bn on 84 new national road projects.

The strategy includes a commitment of £4.5bn to add an extra lane to key motorways to boost connectivity between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Yorkshire.

Other measures include nine improvements along the A1 from Berwick to London, taking it to motorway standard through Yorkshire as part of £2.3bn worth of new investment in Yorkshire and the north east.

(IT/MH)