DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott has announced a string of controversial new bypasses and relief roads as part of an £8.4 billion bid to get Britain moving. The package, which also includes investment in new light rail schemes and advanced bus systems, is the first instalment of a £180 billion public private partnership plan for the transport network, unveiled in the 10-year transport plan in July.

A third of the funding is for local transport for the next decade and the latest package covers Government funding for that sector for the next five years. About £4.4 billion will be available for public transport, including for 28 major projects given the green light this month, but a further £4 billion will be spent on the roads network, including £1 billion for new road schemes.