Government plans a £1bn-a-year “bypass fund”

This week, the Government has unveiled a proposal to ringfence road tax in order to pay for a new £1bn annual fund to either improve or replace the most important A-roads across England. This is part of a new Transport Investment Strategy that will help to prioritise key local road schemes as well as rebalance the economy. From the proposal, a Major Road Network has been created by combining Highways England’s 4,200 miles of strategic roads with 3,800 miles of council-controlled A-roads. Priority will be given to council schemes that are looking to combat congestion and improve connections around town and cities.