DfT sets out scope for studies into upgrading six routes on strategic road network

The DfT wants to understand the wider economic benefits for upgrading the Trans-Pennine roads

The DfT wants to understand the wider economic benefits for upgrading the Trans-Pennine roads

The DfT has announced the scope of work for six feasibility studies into upgrading strategic roads around England from Northumberland to Sussex, and from Norwich to Taunton. 

The six studies were announced in the 2013 spending review to tackle what the DfT says are "some of the most notorious and long-standing hot spots in the country" for drivers. The documents published today reveal the geographic scope to be studied, the different phases of work involved, and the outline management arrangements for the studies for the routes. 

They are for the A303, A30 and A358 corridor; the A1 north of Newcastle; the A1 Newcastle-Gateshead western bypass; the A27 corridor, including Worthing and Arudnel; the Trans-Pennine routes between Manchester and Sheffield, the A57, A628, A616 and A61; and the A47 between Peterborough and Great Yarmouth.

All the studies focus on the opportunities for improving the roads, and entail looking at the current performance of the routes, and the evidence for the possible wider economic benefits for upgrading the routes.