£200m to improve roads across the south-west... including the M5
Highways England has announcement a major investment package for roads and cycleways across the region
Last updated 7th Aug 2021
Millions of road-users in the south west are set to enjoy safer, quicker and smoother journeys, thanks to a multi-million pound improvements package.
Highways England is investing £200 million on routes across the region, including the M5.
Officials say it will fund vital infrastructure and boost both connections and local economies to "build back better from the pandemic".
Works will be carried out over the next few months, alongside existing projects like the dualling of Cornwall's A30 from Chiverton to Carland Cross.
Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists all set to benefit from the planned works, which include road resurfacing and maintenance, the creation of cycle lanes, improved signage and landscaping.
Funded from the Government’s Road Investment Strategy, Highways England will spend a total of £200 million during the financial year into more than 121 of these kinds of schemes across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.
Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “This Government is committed to levelling-up transport right across the country, helping people get to work or education, and to see family and friends.
“This multi-million-pound investment is a real reflection of that commitment. It will ensure road-users right across the south west enjoy safer, quicker journeys, and that the local economy can build back better from the pandemic".
Highways England Regional Director, Andrew Page-Dove, said: “Hundreds of thousands of drivers use our roads every day for work journeys, home deliveries and the movement of the goods and services, so it’s essential we keep them in a good condition to ensure safety and reliability.
“With this investment, Highways England will continue to deliver the essential maintenance and upgrades throughout the region to improve safety and help keep drivers on the move".
What improvements will be made to roads in the south-west?
There are two major projects on the M5, including £20 million for a driver information scheme between junctions 23 and 25.
That will deliver message signs, incident detection and signalling, queue protection, speed management and enhanced CCTV coverage.
Completing in October, the improvements will enable Highways England to monitor the network more effectively, warn drivers of road conditions, manage traffic speeds during times of congestion, provide improved network information and enable better management of incidents.
Other projects include:
• M5 junction 11 Golden Valley – bridge refurbishment and resurfacing
• M4 junction 15 – additional lane to create improved access to housing and jobs
• A38 Mowhay bridge – widening the footpath for cyclists and pedestrians
• A40 in Gloucestershire – upgrading six miles of cycleway
Highways England says it is not just motorists who will benefit either.
Since 2015, Highways has invested more than £85 million towards the creation of 160 new and upgraded cycle ways across England.
Improvements to the National Cycleway Network between Cribbs Causeway and Severn Beach have recently been completed, while other projects like the A36 in Salisbury, Mowhay bridge and another on the A38 in Plymouth are underway or set to start.