The UK government has today confirmed it’s pledging £38 million to local councils across England to help them improve safety on high-risk roads.
The money, which is claimed to cover Devon to Durham, will now be used to improve 17 of the most high-risk roads in the country. The new funds are on top of an already-invested £147.5 million, which was to be used on 88 high-risk roads, taking the total to 99 across England.
As you’d expect with such a significant sum to spend, and so many roads to work on, the changes will not be implemented overnight. Instead, the funding will be spent in the next 20 years, with the government claiming the changes could reduce fatal and serious injuries by up to 30.8 per cent. In real terms, the government is claiming that as a result of the funding, 385 lives could be saved over the next twenty years, as well as reducing congestion, and pollution, and lowering journey times.
Some of the projects the funding will allow are designing new junctions and roundabouts, improving signage and road markings, new road surfacing and landscape management, and improving pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes.
Speaking about the government cash injection, Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:
“Britain’s roads are some of the safest in the world, but we are always looking at ways to help keep drivers and all road users safe.
“As part of the government’s plan to improve roads across the country, we’re providing an extra £38 million so that local councils in England have the support they need to keep everyone safe while reducing congestion and helping to grow the economy.”
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