The UK Government has set out details of its £1.3 billion investment in the country's road infrastructure projects

The fund, which was unveiled in the Autumn Statement, includes £1.1bn for the local road network and £220 million to relieve congestion on the strategic road network.

Announcing the details, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling stated £70m from the Pothole Action Fund will be allocated to local highway authorities in 2017/18 to ensure work can start quickly. This funding is being provided in addition to £6bn already allocated for local authorities to improve their local road networks.

Mr Grayling also outlined funding for further development of business cases for six schemes from the large local major projects fund in addition to the six developments announced in the Autumn Statement.


The six schemes to receive business case funding are:

• Sheffield City Region Innovation Corridor

• Manchester Metrolink airport extension to Terminal 2

• Melton Mowbray Eastern Distributor Road

• New Tees Crossing

• A500 Dualling (Cheshire)

• South Coventry Link Road`

In addition, the six projects included in the Autumn Statement are:

• Sheffield City Region Innovation Corridor

• Manchester Metrolink airport extension to Terminal 2

• Melton Mowbray Eastern Distributor Road

• New Tees Crossing

• A500 Dualling (Cheshire)

• South Coventry Link Road

Other improvements include a £220m package of smaller improvements, approval for the £95m Lincoln Eastern Bypass, and £175m of additional funding to upgrade dangerous roads.

Mr Grayling said: "This demonstrates that the government is serious about investing in the infrastructure the country needs to drive economic growth both locally and nationally and to ensure that all road users have a well maintained and safe network which is fit for the future.

"Further information will be placed in the House Library setting out more detail and the breakdown of funding that the Department for Transport is allocating to local highway authorities for 2017/18."

(LM)