National Highways has announced a £103m investment to improve roads across the South West.
The funding will cover 75 schemes totalling almost 800 carriageway miles across the whole region during the current financial year.
Among the projects earmarked for the renewals programme include refurbishment of the M5 junction 15 and 16 bridges at the Almondsbury Interchange, a technology upgrade in the A38 Saltash Tunnel and stabilising a landslip alongside the A35 at Chideock.
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Jason Hones, National Highways' South West regional director, said: “It’s vital that National Highways’ motorways and A-roads are kept in good condition to make sure they remain safe, reliable and keep the South West moving. This investment will help us achieve the ambitious plans we have for our roads, the communities we serve and the environment.
“Hundreds of thousands of drivers use our roads every day for work journeys, home deliveries and the movement of goods and services, so it’s essential we continue to deliver the essential maintenance and upgrades throughout the region to keep them in a good condition to ensure safety and reliability.”
Minister for Roads, Richard Holden added: “Over the next year, the South West will see over £100 million for maintaining, repairing and improving its roads. This substantial investment will ensure communities from Cornwall to Wiltshire are better connected, as we grow the economy, and drivers enjoy safe and reliable journeys.”
In addition to the maintenance and renewals investment, National Highways' said around £5.5m would be spent on environmental and biodiversity projects and facilities for cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians.
In addition to the renewals programme, National Highways is also upgrading nine miles of the A30 to dual carriageway between Chiverton and Carland Cross in Cornwall, dualling three miles of the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester in Somerset and will start work later this year on the ‘Missing Link’ scheme in Gloucestershire – a project that will improve the connection between two dual carriageway sections of the A417 at Brockworth and Cowley, and links between the M4 and M5.