England’s roads are set for safety enhancements with a £38 million investment aimed at boosting safety.
- New junctions, roundabouts, and road surfacing works will be introduced to address high-risk areas.
- Seventeen roads will benefit from these improvements, including locations in Lancashire and spanning Devon to Durham.
- The initiative aims to prevent 385 fatalities over 20 years, while enhancing traffic flow and cutting congestion.
- This investment is part of a broader £147.5 million effort to refurbish risky roads across the region.
In a move to enhance safety across high-risk roads in England, the government has unveiled a £38 million investment package focused on the construction of new junctions, roundabouts, and road surfacing works. This initiative targets 17 roads deemed hazardous, among them notable routes such as the A19, A6, A41, and the A583 in Lancashire, stretching the enhancements from Devon to Durham.
As part of the comprehensive strategy, the investment is expected to avert approximately 385 deaths over a 20-year span. By addressing these high-risk zones, the government also anticipates improved traffic flow and reduced congestion, which are crucial to fostering a safer and more efficient road network. This undertaking aligns with the overarching goal to maintain England’s roads as some of the safest globally.
In addition to major surface upgrades, the initiative encompasses better signage installation, road marking enhancements, as well as improvements to pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes. This effort supplements the previous £147.5 million allocated for refurbishing 82 other risky roads.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper emphasized the government’s commitment to road safety, articulating the plan as part of a national effort to not only enhance road safety but also stimulate economic growth by reducing congestion. The local councils will receive necessary support through these funds to ensure the successful implementation of these safety measures.
Steve Gooding, director at the RAC Foundation, hailed the investment as a significant step forward, noting that an additional 120 miles of safer road improvements would be realised. He stressed that such measures are vital components in the long-term vision of achieving a safer road network.
This strategic investment underscores a concerted effort to enhance road safety and efficiency across England’s high-risk routes.
