Hundreds of millions of pounds worth of upgrades have already been made to the nation’s road and rail networks during the lockdown period with more planned over the coming weeks and months.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said on top of this fast-track cash drivers and cyclists beginning to return to England’s streets would start to benefit from a £1.7bn Transport Infrastructure Investment Fund to improve roads, repair bridges and target 11m potholes.

It will also see smaller improvements completed to upgrade local networks, such as enhancing road safety at key locations, the installation of priority bus lanes, and the creation of projects to help lock in improvements in air quality experienced during lockdown.

The latest funding pledge is in addition to the £2bn boost more sustainable greener travel and encourage more people to begin cycling and walking.

He said: “To make sure Britain is ready to bounce back from coronavirus, today I can announce £2b nearly to upgrade our roads and our railways.

“To put our transport infrastructure in the best possible shape and to get our economy growing again. This package includes £1.7bn for local roads to make our journeys smoother buy filling millions of dangerous potholes.

“This investment will help fix damage caused by the winter flooding, repair roads and bridges and fund numerous road improvement schemes.

“As more people become mobile again we will also be building a network of rapid charging station for electric cars.”