South West roads to benefit from major safety upgrades
Here in the West Country, those roads include the A432 and the A361 - as part of a national upgrade programme
Last updated 19th Mar 2024
Roads in Bristol and Devon are just two which are set to benefit from major safety improvements - with the cash hoped to make a difference in saving dozens of lives over the next two decades.
Here in the West Country, those roads include the A432 and the A361.
Over a period of 20 years, the Department for Transport has announced Bristol City Council will receive £2.275 million, whilst Devon County Council will get £5.04 million to the improvement of these roads.
Across the country, this £7.3 million package is estimated to save 385 lives between now and 2044.
The work will include designing new junctions and roundabouts, clearer signage and road markings, and improved pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes, and is all part of the Safer Roads Fund.
It is an addition to the £147.5 million package of funding which has already been invested to make 82 high-risk roads safer.
This is part of the Safer Roads Fund, from which £147.5 million has already been invested to make 82 high-risk roads safer.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: "Britain's roads are some of the safest in the world, but we are always looking at ways to help keep drivers and all road users safe.
"As part of the Government's plan to improve roads across the country, we're providing an extra £38 million so that local councils in England have the support they need to keep everyone safe, while reducing congestion and helping to grow the economy."
Dr Suzy Charman, executive director of the Road Safety Foundation charity, said: "The Safer Roads Fund is a transformational initiative for road safety and for the local authorities receiving funds.
"It makes it possible for road safety teams across the country to proactively address risk of death and serious injury for all road users on these routes."
Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity RAC Foundation, said: "Today's announcement means another 120 miles of safer road improvements will be delivered to the benefit of users.
"Such incremental improvements are key to achieving our collective aim for a safer road network as a whole."
The 17 roads which will be improved in the latest round of the Safer Roads Fund are:
- A579, Bolton Council
- A676, Bolton Council
- A432, Bristol Council
- A361, Devon County Council
- A690, Durham County Council
- A19, Doncaster City Council
- A113, Essex County Council
- A6, Lancashire County Council
- A6, North Northamptonshire County Council
- A60, Nottingham City Council
- A6200, Nottingham City Council
- A420, Oxfordshire County Council
- A5191, Shropshire Council
- A2101, East Sussex County Council
- A583, Lancashire County Council
- A41, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council