May 2020) £90bn road revamp planned despite drive for green travel – The Times
Graeme Paton, Transport Correspondent May 26 2020
The roads funding plan came days after the government pledged £2 billion to boost cycling
A £90 billion upgrade of England’s motorways and main A-roads is planned despite commitments during the pandemic to fund green transport.
An official document shows that Highways England, the government-owned company, has proposed significant improvements to the country’s busiest roads over the next 15 years.
This month the government announced a £2 billion package to promote cycling and walking. Last weekend it unveiled a further £283 million to increase bus and tram services.
A day policing a smart motorway
In the March budget, the chancellor announced a £27 billion investment in motorways and main A-roads in England over the next five years.
At the same time, the Office of Rail and Road, the official watchdog, published its own “efficiency review” into Highways England’s longer-term plans.