Move aimed at minimising congestion
Highways England has adjusted the scheduling of 32 of its major road schemes.
The shuffling around means that 10 schemes are being brought forward whilst 16 are being delayed. According to Highways England “all are still set for delivery as part of the Government’s first road investment strategy.”
A further six schemes have been put on hold to ensure they will still deliver value for money.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said:
“Whilst motorists stuck in jams crave the extra road capacity that was promised they wouldn’t want the short-term price to be a surfeit of schemes running in parallel and paralysing the network.”
According to Highways England, “more than two years into delivery of a £15 billion Government investment in motorways and major A roads, Highways England has already completed 18 major schemes, adding more than 190 lane miles of much-needed capacity to the nation’s roads.”
The 10 schemes being brought forward are:
- A19 Testos
- A19 Downhill Lane
- M56 junctions 6-8 smart motorway
- M6 junctions 21a – 26 smart motorway
- M6 junction 22 upgrade
- A500 Etruria
- M6 junction 10
- M4 Heathrow Slips
- A47 Acle Straight -small scale improvement
- A47 and A12 junction enhancement
The 16 schemes being re-scheduled to smooth the timing and frequency of roadworks are:
- A5 Dodwells to Longshoot widening
- M3 junction 9 improvement
- A31 Ringwood
- M27 junctions 4-11
- A47 North Tuddenham to Easton
- A47 Blofield to North Burlingham dualling
- M25 junction 25 improvement
- M25 junction 28 improvement
- A1 Birtley to Coal House
- M60 junctions 24-27 and junction 1-4 smart motorway
- A47/A11 Thickthorn
- A47 Wansford to Sutton
- A47 Guyhirn Junction
- A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening
- M25 junction 10/A3 Wisley interchange
- M25 junctions 10-16
Highways England is obliged to ensure that investment in the road network delivers good value for money. Following a full review the Road Investment Strategy (RIS) programme some schemes require further development to achieve an acceptable return on investment. As a result, in addition to the 26 schemes above, 6 schemes have been paused for further review and consideration as part of future RIS planning process.
These schemes are:
- A1 & A19 Technology enhancements
- M11 junctions 8 to 14 technology upgrade
- A12 whole-route technology upgrade
- M53 junctions 5-11 smart motorway
- A14 Junction 10a
- M62/ M606 Chain Bar
Two further schemes required rework to achieve value for money; however, changes in local development plans mean that these schemes can be progressed, albeit in the early stages of Road Period 2. These are:
- M5 Bridgwater junction improvements
- A50 Uttoxeter Project B growth corridor project
ENDS
Contacts:
Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications – RAC Foundation
020 7747 3445 | 07711 776448 | [email protected] | 020 7389 0601 (ISDN)
Notes to editors:
The RAC Foundation is a transport policy and research organisation that explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and their users. The Foundation publishes independent and authoritative research with which it promotes informed debate and advocates policy in the interest of the responsible motorist.
The RAC Foundation is a registered charity, number 1002705.
All the Foundation’s work is available on its website: