Significant transport network improvements have been scheduled to take place in Greater Manchester over the coming years, with the Highways Agency committing to spending £305 million on projects for the area.

The investment forms part of the government's pledge to deliver £24 billion of transport network improvements for the nation as a whole by the end of the decade, including the rollout of the ambitious £208 million smarter motorways scheme for the M60 and M62.

In total, 120 key transport projects are set to be have been completed by the agency by the end of April next year, with schemes including the resurfacing and installation of new safety barriers for the M61 south of Bolton and new safety barriers along the A627M and A663 near Oldham.

Furthermore, the installation of new lighting is being carried out at present along the M602 into Salford and Manchester, while the A5103 Princess Parkway in south Manchester is now benefiting from bus stop improvements at a cost of £105,000.

Other examples of major transport network development for the area include the delivery of additional CCTV cameras to monitor traffic flows along the M60 at Northenden, Whitefield and Middleton, as well as the M61, M62 and M66 at Westhoughton, Rochdale and Bury respectively, while £4.2 million is being spent on the creation of a new eastbound lane for the M56 at junction 7 near Altrincham.

Highways Agency major projects director for the north Jeremy Bloom commented: "This is really good news for road users across Greater Manchester because it will ultimately mean less congestion, more reliable journey times and improved safety.

"Record amounts are being invested in roads – that inevitably means more roadworks, but for every scheme we work on there will be an improvement for drivers."

Across the area, motorists are therefore advised to ensure they are prepared for potential delays to their journeys while these essential transport network improvements are carried out.

Drivers can receive regular updates on the progress of works and expected associated delays by visiting the Highways Agency website or Twitter feed, while they should also remember to obey the rules of the road and avoid behaviour like rubbernecking in and around projects that could place both themselves and other road users at risk.

North-west regional director Alan Shepherd concluded: "We are well aware of how frustrating drivers find roadworks – but I would like to reassure everyone that all our work is planned very carefully to cause as little disruption as possible.

"Some is inevitable – and we ask for drivers' cooperation while the improvements are carried out."

All of the changes being implemented by the agency over the coming years are designed to provide a boost to the local economy, either by removing bottlenecks that cause considerable delays to travellers or through improved connectivity that can serve to stimulate business links and activity with the rest of the UK and beyond.

Overall, these aims are being bolstered by a £700 million resurfacing commitment for the north-west, with 80 per cent of motorways and major A roads to be resurfaced by the end of 2021.

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