Fifty-six of England’s most dangerous roads will get additional funding after local authorities were asked to bid for the cash from the Safer Roads Fund.
Whilst the UK’s roads are statistically the second safest in Europe, behind Sweden, the Government has identified some concerns on certain blackspots and set aside funds to improve the most dangerous A roads.
England’s most dangerous road, the A537 from Macclesfield to Buxton, will receive £2,490,000 of the funding and is expected to see its improvements completed by 2020/21. Cumbria County Council’s A592-A591 Windermere to A66 Penrith will receive the highest amount of funding with an award of £7,440,000.
The funds were confirmed by Transport Minister Jesse Norman this week who said: 'I am pleased today to announce the successful bids for the Safer Roads Fund, which we made available to enable local authorities to improve the 50 most dangerous stretches of A roads in England.
'We are investing £100 million to tackle these dangerous roads.
'This sum fully funds all bids from the local authorities concerned.
'The additional £75 million initially allocated for the work has not been required, but we will continue to look closely at further scope for capital improvements to improve road safety.'
The Department of Transport has revealed further initiatives this week, one of which includes making roads safer for young people, rural road users, motorcyclists and older vulnerable users.
'The first three of these groups are continually over-represented in our road casualty statistics, while we have data to confirm that the safety of older road users is a growing concern,' Mr Norman added.
'Our goal is for everyone to continue to enjoy the mobility that driving offers, but to do so safely.
'The development of this refreshed road safety statement will also take account of the early lessons from the new road collision investigation pilots.'