The Department for Transport has announced a significant investment of £38.3 million to bolster safety measures on 17 of England's highest risk roads, benefiting drivers and road users alike.

This allocation supplements the existing £147.5 million already earmarked for enhancing safety on 82 high-risk roads throughout England.

Over a span of 20 years, this funding is projected to yield substantial reductions in fatal and serious injuries, with potential reductions of up to 30.8% on certain roads. The planned improvements encompass a variety of measures, including the design of new junctions and roundabouts, enhancements to signage and road markings, upgrades to road surfaces, and the implementation of improved pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes.

The anticipated outcome of this investment is not only the prevention of 385 lives lost over the next two decades but also the reduction of congestion, improvement of journey times, and mitigation of emissions.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper expressed the government's commitment to prioritizing road safety and facilitating improvements across the nation. He underscored the importance of providing additional support to local councils to ensure the safety of all road users while simultaneously addressing congestion and fostering economic growth.

According to the Road Safety Foundation (RSF), the cumulative impact of all phases of the Safer Road Fund is expected to prevent nearly 2,600 fatal and serious injuries over the next 20 years. Moreover, the overall benefit-cost ratio of this investment is estimated at 5:3, indicating significant societal gains for every pound invested.

Dr. Suzy Charman, Executive Director of RSF, commended the Safer Roads Fund as a transformative initiative that empowers local authorities to proactively mitigate the risk of fatalities and serious injuries on targeted routes. She emphasized the importance of systematic changes in road design to enhance safety and protect all road users.

Steve Gooding, Director of the RAC Foundation, hailed the Safer Roads Fund as a crucial mechanism for delivering incremental improvements to road safety, noting its positive impact on the overall safety of the road network.

The government's commitment to road safety extends beyond financial investments, encompassing initiatives such as updates to the Highway Code, targeted THINK! campaigns, and comprehensive projects like Project RADAR and Driver 2020. These multifaceted efforts underscore the government's dedication to enhancing road safety and protecting all road users across England.

The 17 roads receiving funding from the Safer Roads Fund round 3, 2023 to 2024, tranche are:

Photo by Winwick Lane (A579), heading south by JThomas, Wikimedia commons.