£15BILLION in 'roads revolution' spending outlined for England

The £15BILLION plan will involve 100 road improvement schemes and 1,300 new miles of extra lanes to A roads and motorways.

16:58 01 December 2014

The government is expected to announce its mammoth road revolution project for England, estimated to cost £15 billion.

Part of the plan is a tunnel on the A303 near Stonehenge. The scheme will also involve 100 road improvement schemes including 1,300 new miles of extra lanes to motorways and A roads. 

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin will announce the plan thus: "Today I am setting out the biggest, boldest and most far-reaching roads programme for decades. It will dramatically improve our road network and unlock Britain's economic potential."

Meanwhile, Chancellor George Osborne said it would "transform some of the country's most important strategic routes".

Motoring groups welcomed the plans. RAC Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: "This is not about concreting over the countryside with new roads but upgrading many existing routes which have been the source of misery to motorists for years if not decades.

"That the government is investing money along whole lengths of roads and not just a mile or two here and there is to be welcomed."