Skip to main content

UK creates Major Road Network designation for A-class highways

The UK government plans to create of a Major Road Network class of highway which would tap into the multi-million euro annual National Road Fund. Main roads that are now overseen by local authorities would share the National Roads Fund that is financed by the VED – vehicle excise duty - which was previously envisaged to be ring-fenced for national routes. The VED was around €6.6 billion for 2016-17. Roads covered by the strategy are the A-class highways. The deal is part of an investment strategy unveiled b
July 10, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The UK government plans to create a Major Road Network class of highway which would tap into the multi-million euro annual National Road Fund.


Main roads that are now overseen by local authorities would share the National Roads Fund that is financed by the VED – vehicle excise duty - which was previously envisaged to be ring-fenced for national routes. The VED was around €6.6 billion for 2016-17.

Roads covered by the strategy are the A-class highways.

The deal is part of an investment strategy unveiled by transport secretary Chris Grayling. It aims to improve productivity and connectivity of towns and cities to give an economic boost to areas outside the heavily populated southeast area that includes London and major sea ports.

“The transport investment strategy sets out a blueprint for how we can harness the power of transport investment to drive balanced economic growth, unlock new housing projects, and support the government’s modern industrial strategy,” said Grayling.

The proposals for the Major Road Network respond to %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund study WH News link Rees Jeffreys Road Fund false http://www.futureroadsengland.org/ false false%> last year, which highlighted the disparity between the funding and planning of Britain’s motorways — the strategic road network — and local authority A roads.

The UK government is investing more than €69 billion up to 2020-21 improving national transport infrastructure, including road, rail, air terminals.

Related Content

  • Mumbai names BrihanMumbai Municipal as winner for coastal freeway
    April 15, 2015
    The state government of Maharashtra in India has named BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as preferred bidder for construction of Mumbai’s Coastal Freeway worth around US$1.36 billion. The 35.6km freeway, subject to clearance from the central government in New Delhi, will run from Mumbai’s business district, called Nariman Point, to the northern suburb of Kandivli. Coastal Freeway, which runs beside the sea, on reclaimed lands, landfill sites and some small bridges, is the alternative to the mor
  • Major Norwegian tunnel project opening
    September 20, 2019
    Norway’s landmark tunnel project is due to open at the end of 2019. The Ryfylke tunnel will be both the longest and deepest undersea road tunnel built anywhere in the world when it opens to traffic. The new link connects the city of Stavanger with Strand in the district of Ryfylke. Two other tunnels form part of the project to build the new Ryfast link. These are the Hundvåg tunnel and the Eiganes tunnel, due to open in February 2020 once finishing and testing works have been completed. The opening of all t
  • Sandvik is now using Volvo Penta engines in its underground trucks and loaders
    January 6, 2017
    Sandvik Mining is now using Volvo Penta engines in its underground trucks and loaders. The advanced engines meet Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB emission standards and are claimed to reduce fuel and ventilation costs in comparison with other units. The Volvo Penta engineers designed a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit in the exhaust system that converts NOx gas into nitrogen and water. The Volvo Penta exhaust-treatment solution also reduces DPM levels without the need for a diesel particulate filter (DPF).
  • Sandvik is now using Volvo Penta engines in its underground trucks and loaders
    January 30, 2013
    Sandvik Mining is now using Volvo Penta engines in its underground trucks and loaders. The advanced engines meet Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB emission standards and are claimed to reduce fuel and ventilation costs in comparison with other units. The Volvo Penta engineers designed a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit in the exhaust system that converts NOx gas into nitrogen and water. The Volvo Penta exhaust-treatment solution also reduces DPM levels without the need for a diesel particulate filter (DPF).