Government greenlights more than 50 road and rail upgrades

The UK government has announced over 50 road and rail upgrades[1], backed by GBP92bn in investment and aimed at supporting new homes, jobs and regional growth. Five major road schemes in the north and Midlands are confirmed as funded, including the M54 to M6 link road in Staffordshire, which will cut journey times and connect thousands to key economic hubs across the Midlands.

The M60/M62/M66 Simister Island (Greater Manchester), connecting to developments which could support 20,000 new jobs and 7,000 new homes if planning approval granted, has also been confirmed as funded, alongside the A38 Derby Junctions (Derby) which will support 15,400 new homes and A46 Newark Bypass in Nottinghamshire, which could support thousands of new jobs and homes, if planning approval is granted. The long-awaited A66 Northern Trans-Pennine will also be delivered and will cut journey times across the north, support over 10,000 new homes and connect millions across the region as a key national and international economic route. To support local journeys, the Government is also committing support to continue 28 local road schemes vital to connecting and growing communities.

Such schemes, which include the Middlewich Eastern Bypass and A382 Drumbridges to Newton Abbot schemes, are not motorways or trunk A-roads, but junctions, bypasses and traffic-easing projects which will "improve millions of congested commutes and unlock further housing and jobs". The Government also announced key rail projects across the country, including reinstating a passenger rail line between Bristol city centre and Portishead, which last ran over 60 years ago, delivering three brand-new train stations and funding a Midlands Rail Hub, creating rail links for more than 50 locations. The Government said the new schemes would slash journey times, saving commuters, businesses and freight thousands of hours every week, and boosting economic growth across the whole country.

The new infrastructure commitments are backed by GBP92bn of government funding to invest in more projects across England, including extending the GBP3 bus cap and providing GBP1bn to enhance the local road network and create a new structures fund. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "Roads and railways are the backbone of our economy, which is why we are giving them the record funding boost they need, putting taxpayer's money where it matters most and making every day journeys easier." She added: "We're forging ahead with the vital new transport infrastructure Britain needs, and improving what we've already got, to deliver a new era of renewal and opportunity."

Logistics UK said the schemes were significant upgrades to national infrastructure and would make supply chains more resilient and boost trade by keeping goods moving as efficiently as possible. Jonathan Walker, head of infrastructure and planning policy at the trade group, went on: "80% of UK freight travels on roads at some point on its journey to the end user and congestion increases costs and makes journey planning highly unpredictable. "An efficient national logistics network is critical to enable business to drive growth across the whole economy and ensures that the right goods are in the right place at the right time - whether that is a factory, office, hospital or doorstep."

John Foster, chief policy and campaigns officer at the CBI, also welcomed the investment. "Improving transport connectivity is key to unlocking the productivity gains needed to deliver sustainable growth across the country. When businesses can move people, goods, and services more efficiently, it helps them to reach new markets faster and attract the talent they need to grow.

Today's announcement is a welcome step forward and builds on a strong series of planning reforms aimed at delivering the long-term infrastructure the UK economy needs." But others said the rollout of the projects would be crucial. Stephanie Leonard, global head of government and regulatory affairs at TomTom, commented: "To truly deliver on these ambitions, investment needs to be smarter, not just bigger.

We've all seen the pitfalls of expensive, disruptive megaprojects. Filling potholes alone isn't the answer. The real game-changer is harnessing mapping data and real-time insights to make strategic decisions - optimising routes, reducing congestion, and connecting communities with precision.

"Seamless, connected journeys are the lifeblood of economic growth. By leveraging data, we can unlock productivity, eliminate wasted hours and ensure our infrastructure is fit for the future." And ACE Group, which includes the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC), said the new road and rail projects must have clear and fully funded delivery plans.

Marie-Claude Hemming, director of policy at ACE Group, commented: "To ensure best outcomes, drive innovation and cost efficiencies, ACE Group calls on Government to ensure delivery plans for all 50 projects are clear, fully funded, future proofed and are fit for a 21st century society." 

References

1. ^ over 50 road and rail upgrades (www.gov.uk)