Government to create Major Roads Network

MILLIONS of pounds of extra cash could be pumped into upgrading Leicestershire’s main roads under Government plans.

The Department for Transport is looking to create a Major Roads Network (MRN) with access to a national pot totalling some £7 billion to be spent on roads included within it.

It would create a “middle tier” of routes underneath the main trunk and motorway network but above local roads.

Under the plans, two Hinckley area roads would be the main recipients of extra cash.

Council officials have been told the fund could provide between £20 million and £100 million for schemes to improve eligible roads.

This would be available from 2020 for projects to cut congestion, support eco- nomic growth and support house building.

Whitehall officials have proposed roads in the county and city they think should be included in the MRN as part of a consultation that is now drawing to a close. They are:

The A50 between Leicester and Coalville The A6, north and South of Leicester The A607 between Leicester and Grantham The A47 east of Leicester The A563 Leicester outer ring road Parts of the A5360 Anstey Lane, the A5460, the A426, the A4304 at Lutterworth and the A6004 in Loughborough.

As part of the city and county councils’ response to the Government they have been asked to suggest their own routes for inclusion.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “One of the concerns is the Government has not included a lot of major roads that carry the major burden of traffic.

“We know the reality on the ground better than they do so we have made it known what we think should be included.”

The city council has suggested the inner ring road and all the major spine roads into the city be incorporated.

The county council wants the following roads written into the MRN, which the Government is set to finalise in the summer. The A47 to Hinckley The A606 Nottingham - Melton - Oakham

The A512 at between the M1 and Loughborough The A453 by East Midlands Airport The A447 from Hinckley to Coalville The remaining part of the A426 not already suggested

The B582 - Foxhunter roundabout to Fosse Park

The A6 Kegworth bypass - currently under construction.

County Hall’s assistant transport director Ann Carruthers said: “The Government is proposing from 2020 there is a new major road fund to support that major road network and that is coming from the vehicle excise duty pot which is between £6 billion and £7 billion.

“The indications are it could be an annual pot of over £1 billion and schemes on that network could be in the vicinity of £20 million to £100 million in value.”

She said the money would not be available for day-to-day maintenance.