Transport boards scalp major road schemes

Over half of the Highways Agency’s (HA) major road schemes that were awaiting regional approval from local transport boards have been shelved.

The HA’s 2006/07 Business Plan reveals that six of the 11 schemes listed in last year’s Targeted Programme of Improvements are not currently being progressed.

These are:

• A64 Rillington Bypass.
• A30 Carland to Chiverton Cross.
• A30 Temple to Higher Carblake Improvement.
• A483 Pant-Llanymynech Bypass.
• Adderstone to Belford Dualling.
• A1 Morpeth to Felton Dualling.

In addition to these schemes is Balfour Beatty and Costain’s A303 Stonehenge early contractor involvement scheme, which is still under ministerial review due to escalating costs.

On the positive front, the HA plans to spend more on major improvements to the network over the next year. During 2006/07 the HA hopes to spend just over £1bn compared to the £972m outlined in last year’s business plan.

Maintenance spend has also increased on last year from £851m to £862m.