The Department for Transport (DfT) has revealed a £6.1 billion programme of road upgrades as part of a wider £23 billion government plan to upgrade roads in England.

According to newly-appointed transport minister, Jesse Norman, the upgrades will deliver shorter journey times and reduced congestion.

Planned upgrades include adding capacity to the A1 in Northumberland, increasing capacity on the A12 Colchester bypass, a new section road by Stonehenge, and improvements to junction 19 on the M6 and around the Port of Liverpool.

The DfT said it will “take the next steps” on 55 road improvement schemes across the country in the next six months, including opening eight sections of road, consulting on ten new roads and publishing final plans for a further 29 sections of road.

“Road users across England should soon be seeing the benefits of these improvements in their daily lives, which are designed to link people better with their jobs, friends, family and local amenities, as well as connecting businesses with customers,” transport minister Jesse Norman said.

Highways England – which is responsible for maintaining the country’s motorways and trunk roads – will be delivering the projects. Its chief executive, Jim O’Sullivan, said: “Highways England is committed to delivering the government’s investment programme to improve the strategic road network. These milestones are critical elements of our current work and we are extremely pleased that we are on track to deliver them.”

Motoring organisation the AA welcomed the news. “Drivers will welcome this much needed investment on some of the nation’s most important routes,” said Edmund King, AA president. “As well as increasing capacity and smoothing traffic flow, we believe that significant road safety benefits can be achieved especially with the A1 improvements.”

King added: “Following full consultations we hope that the proposed upgrades can be made quickly so drivers can reap the benefits.”

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