Chancellor Sajid Javid has revealed some of the schemes that will feature in the £25bn second Road Investment Strategy from 2020-2025.
In a trail of his speech today to the Conservative Party Conference, Mr Javid briefed the media on the Department for Transport and Highways England investment plans for the strategic road network, which have been subject to intense negotiation over the last few years.
The chancellor is set to give more details of plans for electric buses
The A66 Trans-Pennine expressway and the A46 Newark bypass will be made fully dual carriageway, Mr Javid's office told the press.
Improvements to the M60 Simister Island interchange in Manchester and widening the A12 were also announced, along with upgrades to the A428 between Cambridge and Milton Keynes.
Following his Spending Round pledge of around £200m for local buses, Mr Javid is also expected to announce specific plans for 'superbus' networks.
Of the new bus fund cash, £50m would be put aside to give one or two areas of the country a fully electric bus network, where local authorities provide bus priority measures in return for more services.
It is understood that Cornwall will be one of the pilot areas.
Reaction from the Midlands
Midlands Connect director Maria Machancoses said: 'Making sure the Newark Bypass is completed is a top priority for Midlands Connect to support businesses and commuters who experience regular congestion on the A46, and facilitate major housing and employment development in the town.
'The A46 is one of the country’s most important trade routes, especially the strategic freight route between the East Midlands and the Humber Ports. Newark has become a major bottleneck, holding back logistics firms that rely on the A46, and major manufacturers located along the corridor.
'Securing this funding is the result of several years of passionate campaigning from our partnership, including Transport for the East Midlands and Nottinghamshire County Council, as well as the town’s MP Robert Jenrick. We will continue to work with these partners, and the Department for Transport, to ensure that the bypass is prioritised for completion by 2025.'
Andrew Pritchard, Director of Policy and Infrastructure at East Midlands Councils and Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM) added: 'The A46 Newark northern bypass will improve connectivity across Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire and unlock much needed new jobs and homes. It has been Transport for the East Midlands’ top road investment priority for some time – and the vital first part of our longer term strategy for the A46 growth corridor.'
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