Image: Dreamstime’Jeff Wasserman
The government is to accelerate construction works on the transport network worth £175m, in addition to a £1.7bn plan to repair local roads.
The Department for Transport said that £175m worth of repair work would be accelerated while fewer passengers are using the transport system.
Meanwhile, the government will use a £1.7bn Transport Infrastructure Investment Fund in England to improve roads, repair bridges and fill in millions of potholes.
The government claimed the package would target around 11 million potholes, as well as smaller improvements 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 maintain improvements in air quality experienced during lockdown.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “To help those who do have to use public transport or get out on the roads to do their jobs, we’ve been accelerating infrastructure upgrades to make sure that, as we gradually reopen our society, everyone can benefit from smoother and safer journeys with better connections for our future.
“On top of this fund, the government is also accelerating more than £175m worth of work during the quieter period across our road and rail network while people follow the guidance to avoid unnecessary travel.”
Last week, the transport secretary announced £2bn in funding to boost more sustainable greener travel and encourage more people to begin cycling and walking.