Capital spending to increase for Department for Transport

Chancellor George Osborne has said that despite spending cuts of 37 per cent, capital spending for the Department of Transport will rise to £61 billion.

As part of the Autumn Statement, Osborne revealed that £5 billion of the 50 per cent increase will be earmarked for road maintenance, including a 'national pothole fund' of £250 million over the next five years.

Th Statement also highlighted £250 million support for motorways in Kent to relieve pressure caused by Operation Stack and reforms surrounding compensation after motoring-accident-related injuries such as whiplash.

Patrick McLoughlin, Transport Secretary, said: “Faced with difficult decisions on the public finances, we are choosing to invest for the future by increasing capital investment in Britain’s transport network by 50 per cent to £61 billion over this Parliament. This will support jobs, enable economic growth and bring our country closer together.

“Investing in transport is vital to ensuring the whole of Britain benefits from a growing economy. By massively upgrading our railways and roads, investing in HS2, the Northern Powerhouse, buses and sustainable transport, we are delivering the long-term commitments necessary to provide security and opportunity for working people.”

Read the Spending Review and Autumn Statement speech