ROADS in the South West are set to improve thanks to a £200million investment.

Highways England are hoping to improve journeys across the region, focusing on the M4, M5, A40 and A38.

There will be a variety of improvements to the M5 motorway in Somerset, between junction 23 and 25. These including better signage, speed management and CCTV coverage.

Some roads will be resurfaced, maintained and include cycle lanes, improved signage and landscaping.

The £200million comes from the Government's Road Investment Strategy.

Highways England will use the funding on 121 schemes across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall.

This is in addition to the multi-million A30 dualling scheme in Cornwall and A303 dualling scheme in Sparkford which are both under construction.

Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “This Government is committed to levelling-up transport right across the country, helping people get to work or education, and to see family and friends.

“This multi-million-pound investment is a real reflection of that commitment. It will ensure road-users right across the south west enjoy safer, quicker journeys, and that the local economy can build back better from the pandemic.”

Major scheme that will benefit include:

• M5 junction 11 Golden Valley – bridge refurbishment and resurfacing

• M4 junction 15 – additional lane to create improved access to housing and jobs

• M5 between junction 23 and 25 – introducing message signs, incident detection and signalling, queue protection, speed management and enhanced CCTV coverage

• A38 Mowhay bridge – widening the footpath for cyclists and pedestrians

• A40 in Gloucestershire – upgrading six miles of cycleway

Highways England regional director, Andrew Page-Dove, added: “Hundreds of thousands of drivers use our roads every day for work journeys, home deliveries and the movement of the goods and services, so it’s essential we keep them in a good condition to ensure safety and reliability.  

“With this investment, Highways England will continue to deliver the essential maintenance and upgrades throughout the region to improve safety and help keep drivers on the move.”