Major A-roads to be converted into ‘mini motorways’

Friday, March 20, 2015 - 15:27
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Upgrades on the way

European-style expressways are set to turn some of England’s major A-roads into ‘mini-motorways’ over the next five years

The newly-formed Highways England, which replaces the Highways Agency from April 1, will upgrade key A-roads into expressways over the next five years – a new classification between an A-roads and motorways.

To get traffic flowing more freely, Highways England are planning to modernise junctions and remove roundabouts and traffic lights along with installing emergency refuge and maintenance areas.

According to an article in The Times, 18 major routes are initially set to become expressways with a further seven roads being considered.

Among the first routes it states would be considered are the A303 and the A30 from the junction with the M3 in Hampshire to Exeter in Devon; the A1 north of Newcastle; the A14 from Huntingdon to Cambridge; the A556 between the M56 and M6 in Cheshire; and the A46 between the A1 and M1 in the East Midlands.

Other schemes include the A38 from Exeter to Camborne in Cornwall; the A27 along the south coast of England; the A3 south of Guildford in Surrey; and the A2 through south east London to Kent.

Drivers are also set to benefit from the provision of roadside wifi to send traffic updates to drivers.

Under the plan, the new wifi technology could encourage the provision of “in-vehicle, vehicle-to-vehicle, and vehicle-to-infrastructure technologies” along the M2, M20, M26 and M25, the Department for Transport (DfT) stated.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: “Innovation will be a major driving force behind everything Highways England does over the next five years.

“We will work closely with the DfT, specialists and the private sector on technology and strategic growth that will make best use of our roads.

FTA’s Head of Road Policy, Malcolm Bingham, explained: “FTA supports the concept of developing and improving England’s strategic road network. The concept of developing ‘expressways’ on A roads is good news, and has to be a step forward to improve the reliability and safety on these vial strategic corridors. Routes such at the one to the south west of England should also benefit from this type of road upgrade.”

1 Comments

  1. They want to fix the roads we already have here in the south east before they start on another project !