Road investment in the north of England
George Osborne and Patrick McLoughlin announce investment for new major roads for Manchester Airport and Morpeth.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer and Transport Secretary today (20 March 2015) announced £186 million investment to create new major roads for Manchester Airport and Morpeth.
The roads on the A6 to Manchester Airport and the A1 at Morpeth in Northumberland will improve 2 major northern routes and boost economic growth in the region.
Manchester will receive £165 million of Department for Transport funding for a link road between the A6 and Manchester Airport which will provide better transport links for businesses and local residents.
This is in addition to a £21 million grant from the government for work to begin on the last section in the A1 - South East Northumberland link road, the Morpeth Northern Bypass. The 2.4 mile single carriageway bypass will relieve congestion to Morpeth as well as improve links to development sites in the town and in the surrounding area, including Blyth and Ashington.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:
Our support for these 2 major schemes is further proof that the government is working to deliver a world-class transport network. This £186 million investment will benefit people across south Manchester, north Cheshire and Northumberland. It is part of the government’s long term economic plan to invest in transport, create jobs and drive economic growth.
The A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road scheme was given initial approval in October 2013 as part of the Spending Review and today’s announcement gives the final green light for work to begin. The main work is scheduled to start in April with completion of the scheme expected in October 2017. The Department for Transport will provide a maximum of £165 million towards the full scheme cost of £232 million.
The Northumberland scheme announced today consists of a 2.4 mile single carriageway road to the north of Morpeth, and includes improvements to the existing junction with the A1. It also includes a 3 mile cycle and footpath. The Department for Transport will fund up to £21 million towards the £30 million cost. The work is scheduled to be completed by November 2016.
This government announced in December last year a £15 billion ‘Road investment strategy’, the biggest upgrade to England’s roads in a generation, that will see spending triple by the end of the decade.
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