He underlined the Government’s commitment to spend £2.2bn in the region, ahead of the Chancellor’s spending review on 25 November, which many industry watchers fear could take a slice out of planned transport investment.
Highways England set out its plan for the South East at an industry event at the Mandolay Hotel in Guildford yesterday.
The investment will see improvements and repairs along a series of motorways and A roads in addition to upgrades already underway on the M3, A21 and M25 at junction 30, cutting congestion and improving journey times for drivers.
South East upgrades
- enhancing capacity on the M3 between Winchester and Southampton
- enhancing capacity on the M27 between Southampton and Fareham
- upgrading the M20 near Maidstone to a smart motorway
- upgrading the M4 to a smart motorway between Reading and the M25
- tackling congestion on the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury
- upgrading the A27 in Sussex
- improving junctions on the A2 near Bean and Ebbslfeet
- improving the A34 between the M4 and M40
- increasing capacity on the M2 between Sittingbourne and Maidstone
- improving junctions on the M3 near Winchester
- improving the M27 and M271 near Southampton
- tackling delays on the A31 near Ringwood in Hampshire
- improving access to the A12 and A3 from the M25
- upgrading the M25 to the latest generation of smart motorway, with five lanes between the M40 and Chertsey
- developing plans to reduce congestion on the A3 near Guildford
- developing plans for an additional Lower Thames Crossing
Maintaining the existing network is also a top priority, he said, with £200m being invested in maintenance this year alone.
More than 18.7km of safety barrier and fencing will be replaced or maintained along with nearly 7070 road lights. More than half the regions 171 road signs on major routes will be replaced.
Jones said: “Roads are key to our nation’s prosperity. For too long they have suffered from under investment.
“The government has a long term plan to secure the country’s economic future. This £2.2bn investment in the region’s roads will directly benefit hardworking families across the South East.”
