£45.5m road improvements in England set to create 10,000 homes and 6,000 jobs
Multi-million pound road improvement schemes announced today by Highways England are set to help unlock the development of more than 6,000 jobs and nearly 10,000 homes.
The improvements, worth a total of £45.5 million, will create growth opportunities in Leicestershire and the South East.
Highways England is making a £19.9 million contribution towards the schemes from its Growth and Housing Fund, with private sector developer contributions and other public funding making up the rest. This will be the first time the Hampshire area has been assisted by this Highways England designated fund.
The £100 million Growth and Housing Fund was set up as part of the government’s £15 billion investment in roads and provides financial contributions towards the cost of road improvements that are needed for new developments, which promise timely delivery of homes and jobs.
Jim O’Sullivan, Highways England Chief Executive, said: “England’s strategic roads are vital for economic success, connecting businesses, people and supporting the government’s agenda of employment and growth. All of these improvements and future upcoming announcements will ultimately ensure England’s major roads continue to make a valuable contribution to the prosperity of our country.”
The £220m Congestion Relief Fund announced during the Autumn Statement has also played its part in underpinning economic growth, by providing additional funding to the M27, junction 9 scheme. This additional funding will help to tackle congestion in the local area and improve connectivity.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “We are investing record amounts on improving our roads so motorists can enjoy better journeys. Good transport links are key to our communities, boosting the area’s economy and creating jobs. These schemes will unlock thousands of jobs, as well as providing vital housing and junction upgrades – making areas fit for the future.”
The three schemes announced today are:
- Anstey Lane (A46 / A560) up to 2,378 homes and around 260 jobs – £5million Growth and Housing Fund / £2.8million private developers. This scheme will be delivered by Leicestershire County Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership is Leicester and Leicestershire.
- M1 junction 23, up to 4,000 homes and 5,644 jobs – £5 million Growth and Housing Fund / £10 million private funding / £3.2 million local growth fund. This scheme will be delivered by Leicestershire County Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership is Leicester and Leicestershire.
- M27 junction 9 Whiteley Way, up to 3,500 homes and up to 253 jobs – £9.9 million Growth and Housing Fund / £3 million Highways England Congestion Relief Fund. This scheme is being delivered by Hampshire County Council is Solent under the terms of a grant funding agreement. This is the first scheme to be supported by this fund in the South East.
Highways England’s Growth and Housing Fund has so far made contributions of over £60 million to 16 improvements to unlock over 30,000 new homes and more than 40,000 jobs around Swindon, Exeter, Weston Super Mare, Darlington, Scunthorpe, Grantham, Warrington, Honiton, Derby, Foxdenton (Oldham), Taunton, Durham, Daventry, Leicester and Southampton.
