DfT gives green light to 50-plus road and rail upgrades

More than 50 road and rail upgrades have been approved by the Department for Transport (DfT), including the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route.

Five major road schemes in the north and Midlands are confirmed as funded including the M54 to M6 link road in Staffordshire. 

The M60/M62/M66 Simister Island (Greater Manchester) has also been confirmed as funded, alongside the A38 Derby Junctions (Derby) and A46 Newark Bypass in Nottinghamshire.

The Government has also approved key rail projects across the country, including reinstating a passenger rail line between Bristol city centre and Portishead, which last ran more than 60 years ago, delivering three new train stations, funding a Midlands Rail Hub and creating new rail links for more than 50 locations. 

Browse the interactive map of road and rail investment schemes

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 everyday journeys easier.

“With over £92 billion investment, including the biggest ever boost for city regions in the north and Midlands, we’re delivering the schemes that fast-track economic growth and jobs, connect communities, and will help us build 1.5 million new homes, as we deliver our Plan for Change.   

“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.”

The Government estimates that more than 42,000 new jobs and 39,000 new homes will be supported thanks to the funding committed for major road schemes.

To support local journeys, the Government is also committing support to continue 28 local road schemes.

These 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.   

Of the £92.8bn, the Chancellor has already announced £10.2bn for rail enhancements, improving connectivity and unlocking growth in key areas of the UK. This also includes £24 billion for motorways, trunk roads and local roads across the country. 

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “These vital investments are long overdue, will transform local communities and improve living standards across the country.  

“Investments like these are only possible because we took the right decisions to stabilise our public finances and changed the fiscal rules so we can invest in Britain’s renewal, grow the economy and put more money in working people’s pockets.”

Logistics UK’s head of infrastructure and planning policy, Jonathan Walker, says that the transport infrastructure improvements are “significant upgrades” and when complete will make supply chains more resilient and boost trade by keeping goods moving as efficiently as possible. 

He added: “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.”

Martin Tugwell, chief executive of Transport for the North (TfN), also welcomed the road and rail plans. “This is great news for communities in the North, which brings forward much-needed schemes that TfN has been calling for some time,” he said.

“The A66 upgrade will bring vital new capacity to this key road artery across the North, as well bringing significant safety benefits and jobs.

“We also warmly welcome approval for Greater Manchester’s Simister Island scheme and the Middlewich Eastern Bypass in Cheshire, as well as funding for the new Haxby Station.

“We look forward to working with partners to make sure these schemes are delivered as soon as possible so they can start making a real difference to people’s lives.”