£8 billion of redirected HS2 funding to resurface more than 5,000 miles of road across the country, improving journeys for all. In addition to £300 million already promised, Teesside drivers will benefit from £100 million to improve roads across Teesside.
Millions of people will enjoy smoother, safer and faster road journeys thanks to the biggest-ever road resurfacing programme to improve local roads.
Today (17 November 2023), Transport Secretary Mark Harper has set out the allocations of an £8.3 billion long-term plan, enough to resurface over 5,000 miles of road across the country over the next 11 years. It’s one of the key cornerstones of Network North to improve journeys for all.
Across England, local highway authorities will receive £150 million this financial year, followed by a further £150 million for 2024/2025, with the rest of the funding allocated through to 2034.
Tees Valleys additional allocation of £100 million will be delivered over the next 10 years.
Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said:
“For too long politicians have shied away from taking the right long-term decisions to make life easier for hardworking families – tackling the scourge of potholes being a prime example.
“Well-maintained road surfaces could save drivers up to £440 each in expensive vehicle repairs, helping motorists keep more of the cash in their pocket.
“This unprecedented £8.3 billion investment will pave the road for better and safer journeys for millions of people across the country and put an end to the blight of nuisance potholes.”
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, said:
“Most people travel by road and potholes can cause misery for motorists, from expensive vehicle repairs to bumpy, slow and dangerous journeys. Our £8.3 billion boost to repair roads across the country shows that we’re on the side of drivers.
“Today’s biggest-ever funding uplift for local road improvements is a victory for all road users, who will enjoy smoother, faster and safer trips – as we use redirected HS2 funding to make the right long-term decisions for a brighter future.”
MP for Hartlepool, Jill Mortimer, said:
“I welcome the £3.3 billion funding from the Conservative Government to local authorities in the North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber.
“Reallocating money from HS2 has meant people in the North East will have a visible difference to their road surfaces, improving safety and lessening disruption on their journeys.
“Paying for car repairs can be expensive and frustrating, especially when the damage wasn’t your fault. I’m pleased to hear the RAC’s predictions that our smoother, well-maintained road surfaces could save drivers up to £440 each.
“These long-term upgrades will improve the safety on our roads, efficiency of our journeys and keep hard-earned money in our pockets.”