{"id":50997,"date":"2014-12-01T15:56:36","date_gmt":"2014-12-01T15:56:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=dade2c502edbc732a4e2c35a0221a8aa"},"modified":"2014-12-01T15:56:36","modified_gmt":"2014-12-01T15:56:36","slug":"statement-to-parliament-road-investment-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=50997","title":{"rendered":"Statement to Parliament: Road investment strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement about our plan to invest \u00a315 billion in England\u2019s strategic road network.<\/p>\n

It is a new, 5-year, funded plan.<\/p>\n

Backed by significant reform to make sure it happens.<\/p>\n

New schemes.<\/p>\n

New action.<\/p>\n

Set out in one investment plan for the first time ever. <\/p>\n

This is a fundamental change for the better.<\/p>\n

And we need it because the strategic roads network is the backbone of our economy and our way of life. <\/p>\n

Whether you drive or cycle or travel by bus and coach it matters.<\/p>\n

When you buy goods from the shops or travel to work it matters.<\/p>\n

It needs to work well and it needs to improve.<\/p>\n

It carries a third of all traffic and two-thirds of all freight.<\/p>\n

And it is busier than ever. <\/p>\n

Motorway traffic has increased by almost 50% in the last 20 years. <\/p>\n

Traffic across the entire road network has doubled since 1976.<\/p>\n

And we have not invested enough to cope with this growth.<\/p>\n

Our motorway network has hardly expanded since the 1990s.<\/p>\n

Our trunk A-roads are often of variable quality and running at capacity.<\/p>\n

Forecasts show that traffic will continue to grow and problems get worse. <\/p>\n

This government is responding.<\/p>\n

We have started construction on 20 major schemes.<\/p>\n

Six of them are finished already.<\/p>\n

Schemes that will add over 300 miles of new lanes to our strategic road network<\/p>\n

And we have also committed to major new investments like the \u00a31.5 billion A14 improvements between Cambridge and Huntingdon,<\/p>\n

But this is just the start.<\/p>\n

And today I am pleased to set out details of a much bigger plans that will hugely improve our strategic network in all parts of England.<\/p>\n

An ambitious, funded, achievable plan.<\/p>\n

In shaping this plan the government has kept 3 things in mind.<\/p>\n

First, that action on our roads is just one part of a much wider commitment to improving our transport infrastructure.<\/p>\n

We already have a 5-year investment plan for our railways that will see \u00a338 billion spent on improvements and maintenance by 2019. <\/p>\n

We have supported work on a northern powerhouse<\/a> with fast rail links across the Pennines. <\/p>\n

So I don\u2019t see better roads as an alternative to investment in rail or airports or ports. <\/p>\n

They are part of the same thing: building a transport network that is reliable and fast.<\/p>\n

Second, we have kept in mind changing technologies.<\/p>\n

Our road network as it stands today was designed for the vehicles and standards of the 1960s and 1970s.<\/p>\n

But new fuels and new digital systems offer immense opportunities in the years to come and we must be ready to take them.<\/p>\n

Already smart motorways<\/a> offer a big increase in capacity.<\/p>\n

And Britain is becoming a world-leader in low-carbon technologies.<\/p>\n

Including \u00a3500 million of government backing for low-emission vehicles.<\/p>\n

So it is right that we continue to invest in a network for the future not just rely on the one we have today.<\/p>\n

Third, we must make sure investment in our road network improves lives and the environment not harms them.<\/p>\n

That means schemes which are thought through and address long-standing problems.<\/p>\n

Like the essential new tunnel at Stonehenge.<\/p>\n

This will both extend dual-lane running on the congested A303 and massively improve the situation of the world\u2019s most famous prehistoric monument.<\/p>\n

And it means that as we develop our strategic road network we must make sure it serves the needs of every user. <\/p>\n

Such as cycle-proofing new sections and the \u00a3100 million investment in better cycling routes across 200 priority locations which we announced last week.<\/p>\n

Now – to do all this we need reform. <\/p>\n

Until now, the Highways Agency been hamstrung by annual budgets which have made a mockery of long-term planning.<\/p>\n

It has been inefficient and it has held our roads back.<\/p>\n

This is going to change.<\/p>\n

The Infrastructure Bill<\/a> now before Parliament aims to create a new government-owned company to improve and operate the network.<\/p>\n

A watchdog will make sure motorists get what they have been promised.<\/p>\n

And it will be backed by a 5-year funding settlement already announced by My Rt Hon friend the Chancellor.<\/p>\n

This will see investment in enhancements to the strategic roads network triple by the end of the next parliament to \u00a33 billion a year.<\/p>\n

That is why this government can say, proudly: \u2018we are on the driver\u2019s side\u2019.<\/p>\n

And today, in the Road investment strategy<\/a>, we have the proof.<\/p>\n

In total, 84 new schemes. Over 1,300 miles of new lanes.<\/p>\n

Including 23 new sections of dual carriageway. <\/p>\n

400 new miles of lanes on our motorways.<\/p>\n

Junctions that work. Bottlenecks unblocked. Jams cleared.<\/p>\n

I know many Hon Members have made a powerful case for investment.<\/p>\n

And Members have also have contributed to work on the 6 feasibility studies<\/a> launched last year to find solutions for particular challenges.<\/p>\n

This has been a valuable process and has shaped the \u2018Roads investment strategy\u2019.<\/p>\n

I am pleased that we have not just been able to act on some of the feasibility studies.<\/p>\n

We are acting on all of them. <\/p>\n

So let me now set out in some detail of what will happen.<\/p>\n

Starting with the south west.<\/p>\n

A region whose vital transport links have been neglected but which under this government will not be left behind.<\/p>\n

Today, I can announce that as a result of the \u2018A303 feasibility study\u2019 we will bring motorway-quality journeys to this key route.<\/p>\n

A \u00a32 billion investment. <\/p>\n

Starting with a 1.8 mile tunnel where the road passes Stonehenge.<\/p>\n

It is part of over 6 miles of new dual carriageway between Amesbury and Berwick Down.<\/p>\n

And 3 miles of new dual carriageway between Sparkford and Ilchester.<\/p>\n

That will be followed by further work.<\/p>\n

Including linking the A303 to the M5 at Taunton with a new dualled section.<\/p>\n

Also in the south west:<\/p>\n

We are upgrading the A30 between Chiverton and Carland Cross.<\/p>\n

This will extend the expressway route to Camborne from the M5.<\/p>\n

Now let me turn to East Anglia.<\/p>\n

The A47 is a vital east-west link between this economic powerhouse, the Midlands and the north.<\/p>\n

As a result of the feasibility study I can announce substantial work to the east and west of Norwich:<\/p>\n

Upgrading North Tuddenham to Easton.<\/p>\n

And Blofield to North Burlingham.<\/p>\n

This will create 30 miles of continuous dual carriageway around the city.<\/p>\n

My Hon friend for Great Yarmouth has continued to highlight the dangers of the Acle Straight. <\/p>\n

I am pleased to be able to announce a \u00a310 million fund for safety measures and investigations into the long-term future of this hazardous road.<\/p>\n

Other schemes include the \u00a3280 million upgrading of the A428 between the Black Cat roundabout and Caxton Gibbet. <\/p>\n

This will create an expressway standard road between Cambridge and Milton Keynes.<\/p>\n

In the Midlands:<\/p>\n

We are committing \u00a320 million to upgrading the Chowns Mill junction between the A45 and the A6.<\/p>\n

Junctions along the A52 around Nottingham will be improved.<\/p>\n

Junction 10a of the A14 will be built – opening up a substantial development site.<\/p>\n

In the north west:<\/p>\n

The port of Liverpool will benefit from a \u00a3250 million upgrade on the link between the docks and the motorways.<\/p>\n

We will also act on the \u2018Transpennine feasibility study\u2019 which will cut jams through a new link road to Glossop, new passing lanes on the A628 and dualling on the A61. <\/p>\n

We will also consult on options around Mottram and Tintwhistle while keeping in mind the scenic importance of this area on the edge of the Peak National Park.<\/p>\n

And we will commission a new feasibility study focusing on the M60 around Manchester, working closely with the local transport authorities.<\/p>\n

And in the north east and Yorkshire:<\/p>\n

The two further feasibility studies on the A1 will lead to improvements around Newcastle and a significant improvement to the road towards the Scottish border.<\/p>\n

This is a main link between two capitals in the United Kingdom and as has been made clear to me it needs action.<\/p>\n

So I can announce that we will investment more than \u00a3600 million to improve the A1 Newcastle, Gateshead Western Bypass.<\/p>\n

And to dual the A1 north of Newcastle between Morpeth and Ellingham.<\/p>\n

And work on tackling the notorious pinchpoint at the Hopgrove roundabout on the A64. <\/p>\n

Finally, in its commitment to all parts of England including the north this government does not forget the south needs good roads too.<\/p>\n

My Hon friend the Member for Oxford West and Abingdon will be pleased to hear about work on junctions on the A34 around Oxford.<\/p>\n

As well as looking further at the long term future for this road.<\/p>\n

Ashford will benefit from a new junction 10a of the M20 – facilitating growth in the south east of the town. <\/p>\n

Junction 30 of the M25 will see huge improvement, strengthening access to ports in Essex.<\/p>\n

And as a result of a further feasibility study on the A27 improvements will include a new dual carriageway bypass around Arundel.<\/p>\n

And improvements to the road and junctions in Worthing and Lancing.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, \u00a375 million has been ring-fenced for the A27 east of Lewes. <\/p>\n

Mr Speaker, this is a comprehensive package for all parts of England.<\/p>\n

It is funded. It is committed. It will bring change.<\/p>\n

It sits alongside our much wider investment in better transport including a transformation of our railways.<\/p>\n

Proper co-ordination with work being done by local transport – and Network Rail.<\/p>\n

I commend this Statement to the House. <\/p>\n

Related information<\/h2>\n