Upgrading of road network in the pipeline
KEY A-roads in Halton could benefit from up to £100m of upgrade funding under Government plans to create an official ‘Major Road Network’.
The Department For Transport (DfT) is now seeking views on how the cash should be spent and has launched a consultation.
More than 5,000 miles of English road have been included in the proposals including in Runcorn and Widnes.
A map published by the DfT shows that in Runcorn, the town’s expressways and Chester Road between Sutton Weaver and Warrington have been earmarked to be part of the Major Road Network.
In Widnes, the proposed network includes ● Speke Road and Watkinson Way.
The DfT said upgrades to routes included in the plan would be intended to support the strategic road network, namely motorways such as the M56 and M62.
Other aims are to reduce congestion and to support economic growth and house building.
Upgrade schemes which could be considered are:
The DfT said it will con- sider requests relating to bypasses, missing links between existing routes, road widening, major junction improvements and the use of technological and safety enhancements.
The consultation was launched on December 23 and is due to last 12 weeks from that date.
Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary, said: “For decades, these major local roads have been underfunded and not properly maintained.
“We are spending record amounts on improving our roads and we want more of our busiest roads to benefit from guaranteed investment.
He added: “This will unlock no end of benefits for communities by improving motorists’ journeys, taking traffic away from built up areas, as well as enabling new housing to be built and creating jobs.” ●