In June this year, the Government announced plans for billions of pounds worth of highway investment across the UK, over the next few years.<br><br>
Further details have now started to emerge, and according to Transport Minister Robert Goodwill, almost £2 billion worth of these road schemes will kick off next year.<br><br>Nearly 10,000 construction jobs to be supported<br><br>
According to a press release, more than 9,500 construction jobs will be supported by over £1.9 billion of government investment in work on roads during 2014. Some 209 schemes will kick off next year, attracting a total of £4.3 billion over their total construction, with £1.9 billion of that being spent in 2014 alone. The government suggest that these schemes will boost the economy by over £18.8 billion altogether, and are part of a much bigger (£100 billion) plan for infrastructure investment over the next seven years.<br><br>Works crossing the country<br><br>
Half of the 209 schemes are targeted for completion in 2014, and the programme is planned to deal with 178 “pinch points” – areas of local bottlenecks – as well as 31 “major schemes”, such as expanding the A11 into Norfolk and the A1 Leeming to Barton. The biggest chunk of investment will go to schemes in Yorkshire and the Humber (around £346m of the £19.billion, supporting 1,800 construction jobs), with the East Midlands close behind with £337m and 1,700 jobs supported.<br><br>
According to Goodwill: “We are already seeing massive improvements being made to our major roads and railways. In 2014 the public will see even greater improvements right across the country.”