Highways England met with suppliers and stakeholders on 29 September and met again on 1st October to set out how more than £2bn of government investment to improve the capacity and condition of roads across the East of England will be delivered.

The investment will see improvements and repairs taking place between now and 2021, giving road users simpler, faster and more reliable journeys. It will also boost the area’s economy and help to bring the country closer together.

The work is part of the government’s ‘Road Investment Strategy’ to triple levels of spending on England’s roads by the end of the decade, which was announced last year.

Highways England, the government-owned company which was set up earlier this year, is detailing its plans for the East of England region at two events at Wyboston Lakes, Bedford and the Grange Hotel, Bury St Edmunds this week. Plans include major improvements on the M11, A5 and M1, A1(M), A12, A14, A47 and A428.

Some of the schemes such as the A5-M1 Link Dunstable Northern Bypass in Bedfordshire are already under way. This scheme involves the building of a new link between 2 major roads north of Dunstable, helping reduce congestion and boost economic growth.

Roads Minister Andrew Jones said:

“As part of our long term economic plan, we are making the biggest investment in roads in a generation. The £2bn investment in the East of England between 2015 and 2021 will significantly improve journeys and help create jobs.

“Through schemes like these we are creating opportunities for hardworking people across the nation and driving economic growth.”