The UK government has announced an additional £38.3 million investment in council-led projects aimed at enhancing road safety across England. This funding will support improvements such as upgrading road junctions and roundabouts, enhancing road markings and signage, and creating safer pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes. The initiative is part of efforts to make roads safer and easier to navigate for all users, potentially saving an estimated 385 lives over the next 20 years.
Targeting High-Risk Roads Across England
This latest investment builds on the success of the Safer Roads Fund, which has already allocated £147.5 million to enhance safety on 82 high-risk roads. Some of the roads previously improved by the fund include the A432 in Bristol, the A113 in Essex, and the A6 in Lancashire.
The new funding will extend improvements to 17 additional roads, including:
- A579, Bolton Council
- A676, Bolton Council
- A432, Bristol Council
- A361, Devon County Council
- A690, Durham County Council
- A19, Doncaster City Council
- A19, North Yorkshire County Council
- A113, Essex County Council
- A6, Lancashire County Council
- A6, North Northamptonshire County Council
- A60, Nottingham City Council
- A6200, Nottingham City Council
- A420, Oxfordshire County Council
- A5191, Shropshire Council
- A2101, East Sussex County Council
- A583, Lancashire County Council
- A41, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Commitment to Safer Roads
Transport Secretary Mark Harper emphasized Britain’s strong record on road safety while underscoring the importance of continuous improvements. “As part of the Government’s plan to improve roads across the country, we’re providing an extra £38 million so that local councils in England have the support they need to keep everyone safe, while reducing congestion and helping to grow the economy,” he explained.
Expert Support for the Initiative
Dr. Suzy Charman, Executive Director of the Road Safety Foundation charity, hailed the funding as a game-changer for proactive road safety measures. She noted that the program empowers local road safety teams to address risks effectively, reducing the likelihood of fatalities and injuries.
Similarly, Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity RAC Foundation, remarked that the improvements would add 120 additional miles of safer roads, contributing to the broader goal of a safer national road network.
Making a Local Impact
For residents and businesses in Oxfordshire, the improvement works planned for the A420 are a direct result of the Government’s commitment to safer travel. If you’re part of the community, consider exploring local activities and events or adding your business to the directory through our free listing page. Together, efforts like these can help foster safer, stronger communities while improving the quality of local infrastructure.
