£1.6bn plan for Britain's roads

Stephen Byers will attempt to deflect mounting criticism of his transport policy today by announcing a £1.68 billion plan to speed up Britain's main roads.

In the week that thousands of commuters became trapped in congestion following train strikes, the Transport Secretary's department was announcing new bypasses, junction improvements, more cycleways - and noise-deadening schemes. He said the new package would ensure 98 per cent of Britain's motorways and trunk road network remained open at all times.

The new plans will slash congestion by five per cent by 2010, it is claimed. The Highways Agency will also embark on night-time working on roadworks - something the Standard has campaigned for. This is aimed at speeding vital maintenance which, where possible, will be carried out at off-peak times. The Agency is earmarking £740 million for road maintenance for 2002/3, up on last year's figure of £687million.

Motoring organisations, however, will say that with a £32 million road maintenance backlog in London alone, this is still not enough to stop the decay of vital trunk roads.