Background
On 1 December 2014, the Secretary of State announced a £15 billion plan to create better roads. This was part of the Government’s Roads Investment Strategy: 2015 to 2020. The plan includes a £2 billion commitment of investment to roads in the ‘south west’. Proposals to upgrade the 8.7 mile section of A30 between Carland Cross and Chiverton Cross roundabouts is part of this pan. This section of road will be upgraded from a single carriageway to dual carriageway. As the trunk road is the responsibility of Highways England they are leading on the proposals.
Highways England Designated Fund
Highways England has £900 million to fund activities beyond what’s considered ‘business as usual’. This is for investing in measures to improve the existing road network. It is also for maximising opportunities to deliver additional improvements as part of new road schemes. There are five designated funds covering:
- Environment
- Cycling
- Safety and integration
- Air quality
- Innovation and
- Growth and housing.
Highways England is using the fund to support schemes and projects close to their road network. This includes work focussed on the landscape around 1.5 miles of the A30 Chiverton and Carland Cross road scheme.
They are in the early stages of investigating potential opportunities for:
- environmental enhancements
- cycling, safety and integration
Proposed enhancements are in addition to and separate from the A30 scheme and must be able to be delivered with or without the A30 scheme in place.
Further information
You can find out more about the plans, including latest news and what happens next on the Highways England webpage.