NATIONAL Highways has announced how much it will be spending this year to create safer and smoother journeys for drivers on the South West’s roads.

A £103 million package of renewals and improvements will be delivered on roads, paths and bridges across the South West region during the current financial year.

The investment will create safer and smoother journeys for millions of road users on motorways and A roads across the region, and plans for renewals include road resurfacing, bridge refurbishments, motorway safety barrier upgrades, bridge joint replacements, improved signage and drainage and renewal of traffic lights.

The Renewals capital spend covers 75 schemes across the region – some of them already under way and over a network totalling 794 carriageway miles, covering Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. Minister for Roads, Richard Holden said: “Over the next year, the South West will see over £100 million for maintaining, repairing and improving its roads.

This substantial investment will ensure communities from Cornwall to Wiltshire are better connected, as we grow the economy, and drivers enjoy safe and reliable journeys.”

Jason Hones, National Highways’ South West regional director, said: “It’s vital that National Highways’ motorways and A-roads are kept in good condition to make sure they remain safe, reliable and keep the South West moving.

“This investment will help us achieve the ambitious plans we have for our roads, the communities we serve and the environment.

“Hundreds of thousands of drivers use our roads every day for work journeys, home deliveries and the movement of goods and services, so it’s essential we continue to deliver the essential maintenance and upgrades throughout the region to keep them in a good condition to ensure safety and reliability.”

In addition to the maintenance and renewals investment, around £5.5 million of funding will be spent on environmental and biodiversity projects and facilities for cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians. In addition to the renewals programme, National Highways is also upgrading nine miles of the A30 to dual carriageway between Chiverton and Carland Cross in Cornwall. £103m spend on SW highways.