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£800 million investment in North West roads creates 600 jobs

The government announced £800 million will be invested in roads in the North West resulting in the creation of 600 construction jobs.

This was part of a £15 billion plan to increase capacity and improve the condition of England’s roads by the end of the decade.

This is the biggest investment in roads in a generation and will transform infrastructure in the North West including the trans-Pennine route which includes the A66 and A69.

A radical overhaul began in 2010 including the upgrade to smart motorways.

The smart motorway system involves an extra lane to manage the flow of traffic and improve motorway safety.

The investment will include improvements to the trans-Pennine route, funding to upgrade links to Liverpool’s motorways, further smart motorway schemes across the North West and schemes to provide better access to Manchester city centre and airport.

There will also be a strategic study into the M60 to ensure that capacity limits do not stop further growth of the city.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, said: “I promised when I was in the north west that we would address this area’s economic needs for the future.

“Our Long term-economic plan means today we can invest an £800 million into the North West’s infrastructure to improve, repair and expand our roads.

“This is all about investing in the northern powerhouse we are seeking to build.

“Our plans will transform some of the country’s most important strategic routes, and ambitious projects like the M62 and A628 trans-Pennine improvements and major upgrade to the A585, as well as spending on important local infrastructure will boost productivity and help the local economy of the north west.

“For years our roads have been neglected.

“Now that this government is fixing the economy, we can afford to invest properly in our roads – unlocking jobs and local growth by creating a road network that is fit for the 21st century.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .