The Department for Transport has announced that drivers are set to benefit from up to £500 of savings per year and see smoother Easter getaways as 1,127 miles of roadworks are lifted.
Following RAC data showing that hitting a pothole can cost drivers up to £460 in repairs, the Government is putting £1.6 billion into the hands of local councils from this month to get fixing UK roads – enough to fill 7 million extra potholes, going far above and beyond the Government’s manifesto commitment.
To further protect motorists given continued cost-of-living pressures and potential fuel price volatility amid global uncertainty, the Government has frozen fuel duty at current levels for another year to support hardworking families and businesses, saving the average car driver £59.
Together, this means that drivers could save up to £500 a year from the Government’s measures, saving motorists money, improving living standards and getting Britain moving as part of the Plan for Change.
The Government is also speeding up journeys for the 19.1 million drivers the AA estimate will make car trips on Good Friday, as National Highways lifts 1,127 miles of roadworks over the bank holiday.
Around 97.5% of major roads across England will be completely free from roadworks, speeding up millions of journeys and boosting connectivity across the country to drive growth – the key priority in the Government’s plan for change.
“Cutting journey times and saving drivers money every year is all part of our Plan for Change to raise living standards and put more money in people’s pockets,” says Heidi Alexander, transport secretary. “We are tackling the real problems that drivers face by lifting 1,127 miles of roadworks over Easter and cracking down on disruptive streetworks to make journeys to see loved ones as smooth as possible. This Government is also saving drivers up to £500 a year, with councils soon to receive their record £1.6 billion pothole funding and the continued freeze on fuel duty.”
Since entering office, the Government has unlocked seven major road schemes backed by £580m such as the recently approved Lower Thames Crossing which will be a key strategic route for drivers, freight and logistics – improving connectivity between the South and the Midlands, linking up our ports, and unlocking regional growth. This includes £200m for the A47 Thickthorn Junction, and £290m for M3 Junction 9 plus £90m for local road schemes like the A130 Fairglen Interchange, the South-East Aylesbury Link Road, the A350 Chippenham Bypass, the A647 scheme in Leeds. This is a total of over £580m for schemes to get Britain moving.
On top of this, the Government recently announced a further £4.8bn for National Highways to protect the country’s strategic road network which provides critical routes and connections across the country. The funding will ensure this vital network is kept in good repair and remains fit for the future whilst delivering essential improvement schemes to unlock growth and housing development.
Many drivers are already seeing faster journeys on motorways, as over 270 miles of roadworks have recently been lifted following National Highways completing its National Emergency Area Retrofit programme last month, which saw roadworks on the M1, M3, M4, M5, M20, M25 and M27 lifted.
National Highways is reminding drivers to properly prepare for Easter travel by relaunching its ‘TRIP’ campaign, encouraging drivers to ‘Top-up, Rest, Inspect, Prepare’. The guidance aims to prevent breakdowns which can lead to delays and unexpected costs.
Significant routes to benefit from roadworks being lifted or completed in time for the Easter getaway include over 130 miles of roadworks on the M25, more than 100 miles on the M1 between London and Chesterfield, more than 70 miles on the A27 between Polegate, East Sussex and Havant, Hampshire, 49 miles on the A34 between Oxford and Winchester, almost 50 miles on the M27 between Southampton and Portsmouth, over 45 miles on the M4 between Hayes and Hungerford, 44 miles on the M2 between Rochester and Faversham, 37 miles on the A303 near Andover and 31 miles on the A47 between Great Yarmouth and Peterborough.
Disruptive streetworks by utility companies are also being tackled under this Government’s clampdown, with doubled fines and charges of up to £10k per day for utility works that overrun at weekends and bank holidays. This will help make sure works finish on time, and roads can be fully reopened to traffic.
The most congested roads also see the highest charges, under lane rental schemes – meaning utility companies are charged more on the busiest roads and at the busiest times. At least 50% of the revenue raised from these will go into mending more potholes, so that even more roads can be improved. There are currently five lane rental schemes running across England, with applications for eight new schemes. This month saw East Sussex starting its own lane rental scheme, to deter disruptive utility companies and save drivers many hours off weekend car journeys.
The Government is also introducing measures to implement a new digital service that will speed up roadworks, slash traffic delays, and reduce accidental strikes on pipes which currently amount to 60,000 per year, costing the UK economy £2.4 billion.
With holes being dug in UK roads every seven seconds, the National Underground Asset Register, part of the Data (Use and Access) Bill, will create a map of the country’s underground pipes and cables, allowing construction workers to instantly see their exact location – a process which currently takes six days.
“Technology must be first and foremost used to make people’s lives better, and that includes tackling the misery of traffic caused by road works That’s why we are creating a comprehensive digital map of underground cables and pipes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The map will mean construction workers and utility companies will know exactly what lies beneath before they dig, helping to prevent accidental damage like bursting water mains,” says Peter Kyle, technology secretary. “Our laws will not only back our mission to make British roads safer and journey times quicker, but also grow our economy by £400 million each year as part of our Plan for Change by reducing disruption to motorists and businesses.”
“We expect the roads to be busy with people looking to make the most of a long Easter weekend. That’s why we are making journeys easier by removing a huge number of roadworks,” adds Andrew Butterfield, National Highways director of operational services.“Drivers should also take time to plan ahead. Two of the top three causes of breakdowns are tyre issues and empty fuel tanks. You can help prevent any breakdowns by following our advice: top up your fuel, oil and screenwash, plan your journey, check your tyres and prepare for all weather conditions.”
Photos courtesy of AdobeStock
