16 road and public transport schemes given the green light

£600m also announced for further local authority projects.

16 road and public transport schemes have been given the go ahead.

The schemes, subject to statutory processes, will deliver major upgrades to relieve congestion at  M60 Junctions 8 – 12, M1 Junctions 32 – 35a,  M60 Junctions 12 – 15, M1 Junctions 39 – 42, M62 Junctions 18 – 20, M25 Junctions 5 – 6/7, M25 Junctions 23 – 27, M6 Junctions 5 – 8 and A556 Knutsford – Bowdon, either through widening or managed motorways schemes.


Key local infrastructure projects were also confirmed, subject to a best and final offer from local authorities, of a new single carriageway bypass which will ease congestion in Sefton and improve access to the region’s motorway network, improvements on the A57 east of M1 J31 and improvements to M5 J29, providing access to new housing and employment areas.

Also, an integrated package of sustainable transport improvements in Ipswich including improved bus facilities, a bypass to the north of Lancaster, connecting the port of Heysham to the M6, a new road in Taunton to provide additional cross-town capacity and access to areas of brownfield land and a new bus station and associated transport improvements in Mansfield.

In addition, over £600m of funding for further local authority projects was announced, where local authorities will be invited to bid for this funding over the next few months. Councils will be challenged to consider the cost, scope and possibility of local funding when bidding.

The Highways Agency will also continue work on developing 14 schemes in preparation for them to start in future spending review periods, as funding becomes available, and will review the design of a further four with the aim of finding a best value solution.

Transport Minister Philip Hammond said: "Taken together, this investment will not only bring benefits in terms of reduced congestion, shorter journey times and more efficient public transport, but also provide a vital economic boost."

Further information:
Department for Transport