Rail and road upgrades to support more than 39,000 homes

The government has committed to five strategic road schemes and five key rail upgrades to support more than 39,000 new homes, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).

DfT said people would also benefit from better access to jobs from this investment, which June’s Spending Review had “made possible” at more than £92 billion of funding.

There is confirmed funding for five major road schemes in the north and Midlands, including the M54 to M6 link road in Staffordshire, reducing journey times and connecting “thousands to key economic hubs across the Midlands”.

If planning approval for the M60/M62/M66 Simister Island (Greater Manchester) is confirmed (funding is in place), DfT said this would support 7,000 new homes and 20,000 new jobs.

The government also plans to take forward the A38 Derby Junctions (Derby) which, if approved, will support 15,400 new homes, and the A46 Newark Bypass in Nottinghamshire, potentially supporting “thousands of new jobs and homes”.

DfT said it would also deliver the” long awaited” A66 Northern Trans-Pennine, cutting journey times across the north and helping to create more than 10,000 new homes, while connecting “millions across the region”.

The department has also announced key …