Timetable for North West road schemes announced
The Highways Agency said work to improve the M60 and M62 motorways in Manchester is expected to start in the next two to four years.
The work, which also includes an improvement scheme to the A556 between Knutsford and Bowdon in Cheshire, was part of a timetable of 14 road schemes announced by the Highways Agency on Tuesday.
Between 2013 and March 2015, the Highways Agency will:
- Upgrade the A556 Knutsford to Bowdon to dual carriageway standard, which is used by 51,000 vehicles a day. Costain won a contract with the Highways Agency to widen the A556 in January
- Start work on a managed motorway scheme on the M60 from Junction 8 to Junction 12 in Manchester
- Start on an improvement scheme for the M60 motorway from Junction 12 to Junction 15 in Manchester
- Start on an improvement scheme on the M62 motorway from Junction 18 to Junction 20 in Manchester
The Highways Agency will announce construction dates on schemes in future years on an annual basis as part of Departmental and Highways Agency business planning.
Road Minister Mike Penning said: "These schemes will deliver vital investment across the strategic road network, driving economic growth and boosting the UK economy.
"They will also provide much-needed additional capacity – easing congestion and making journey times more reliable for road users, including hauliers and commuters. For every pound invested on these schemes on average we will get back £7 of benefits to the economy with some delivering even higher returns.
"Transport provides the crucial links that allow people and businesses to prosper and we will continue to invest in schemes that reduce congestion and support economic growth."
The Highways Agency said to ensure the roads programme remains flexible, a small number of schemes will be identified that could be accelerated to start construction before 2015 if circumstances allow.
