£1 billion to repair roads, bridges and tunnels

The government has announced £1 billion to repair transport infrastructure and future proof the road network.

Around Britain, around 3,000 bridges are currently unable to support the heaviest vehicles, which restricts access for agricultural and freight transport.

The number of bridge collapses has also risen.

The Structures Fund is designed to inject cash into repairing bridges, flyovers and tunnels.

The government has also announced £590 million for the Lower Thames Crossing. It is hoped the crossing will reduce congestion at Dartford and better link up motorists and businesses in the Midlands and North with key ports in the South East. The government is looking to bring in private finance and expertise to support this project.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves, said: "When it comes to investing in Britain’s renewal, we’re going all in by going up against the painful disruption of closed bridges, crossings and flyovers, and ensure they’re fit to serve working people for decades to come.

"Today’s investment also goes even further and faster to spread growth by providing critical funding to take forward the Lower Thames Crossing – not just boosting connectivity in the South East, but ensuring a smoother, less congested passage of vital goods from Europe to our regions.

"This is a turning point for our national infrastructure, and we’re backing it with funding to support thousands of jobs and connect communities, delivering on our Plan for Change."

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: "We’re finally getting on with the Lower Thames Crossing — a crucial project to drive economic growth, that has been stuck in planning limbo for far too long.

"This project is essential for improving the resilience of a key freight route and is critical to our long term trade with Europe. It will speed up the movement of goods from South East England to the Midlands and the North, crucial to thousands of jobs and businesses.

"Our structures fund will make long-overdue investments to repair ageing structures across the country, speeding up journeys, restoring pride and delivering our Plan for Change to boost the economy and support regional growth."