SOLIHULL is set to get a £1.2million boost for road safety improvements – the Department for Transport has announced.
This comes as part of the Government’s £38.3million investment into 17 of the most high risk roads in England – including the A41 in Solihull.
Over a 20 year period, the £1.265mfor Solihull Council will see significant reductions in fatal and serious injuries, including a 10.7 per cent reduction on the A41.
The work will include designing new junctions and roundabouts, improving signage and road markings, new road surfacing and landscape management and improved pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes.
The department say this round of funding is expected to save 385 lives over the next 20 years, as well as reduce congestion, improve journey times and lower emissions.
The Government says it is on the side of drivers and is delivering a wide range of improvements across all roads, through its £24billion Roads Investment Strategy, the 30-point Plan for Drivers and the biggest ever increase in funding for local road improvements thanks to £8.3billion of reallocated HS2 funding.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Britain’s roads are some of the safest in the world, but we are always looking at ways to help keep drivers and all road users safe.
“As part of the Government’s plan to improve roads across the country, we’re providing an extra £38 million so that local councils in England have the support they need to keep everyone safe, while reducing congestion and helping to grow the economy.”
According to the Road Safety Foundation, it is estimated the Safer Road Fund will save nearly 2,600 fatal and serious injuries over the next 20 years.
Steve Gooding, director, RAC Foundation: “The Safer Roads Fund is the hugely welcome gift that keeps on giving, because today’s announcement means another 120 miles of safer road improvements will be delivered to the benefit of users.
“Such incremental improvements are key to achieving our collective aim for a safer road network as a whole.”
