By Richard Johnstone | 12 November 2013
Almost 10,000 jobs will be supported by the government’s investment in road building and improvement next year, the Department for Transport has announced today.
Transport minister Robert Goodwill said the £1.9bn being spent on the government’s road programme in 2014 would provide an economic boost of more than £18.8bn, as well as creating in excess of 9,500 posts.
The government’s road programme is made up of 209 projects, which have a total value of around £4.3bn. More than half of these are scheduled to be completed next year.
Schemes under construction in 2014 include 178 ‘pinch point’ upgrades to tackle local bottlenecks, and 31 major schemes. Improvements set to be completed next year include those to the M1, M4, M6 and M25.
Goodwill said the programme was part of the government’s drive to prioritise investment in projects that have an economic benefit. The host of improvements would ensure roads could cope with the expected 43% increase in traffic by 2040.
Roads are ‘the lifeblood that keeps our economy going’ as they create jobs and help get products to markets, he said.
‘This government is committed to delivering the modern infrastructure we need to compete in the global race, investing across the board to cut congestion and reduce journey times in roads, rail and local transport.
‘We are already seeing massive improvements being made to our major roads and motorways. In 2014 the public will see even greater improvements right across the country.’
Commercial secretary to the Treasury Lord Deighton added that, of the eight road schemes promised by the government and so far completed, all had been delivered ahead of schedule.
‘We’re prioritising the projects that will drive forward growth and next year 10,000 jobs will be created as a result, proving that this vital investment will bring benefits to people across the country.’
Earlier this year the Department for Transport published its Action for roads policy paper, which set plans to turn the Highways Agency into a government-owned company with a long-term funding settlement.
Ministers reiterated today that this model, similar to Network Rail, would be used to deliver the £28bn programme confirmed in the Spending Review in June.
It is also intended that the reform, which is currently out for consultation, will lead to efficiency savings of £2.6bn over the next 10 years.
