A campaign group has called on transport ministers to introduce changes to major road projects to protect motorists from driving safety issues.
Transport Action Network has urged Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood to redirect the Department for Transport's highways budget towards tackling what it calls England's road safety emergency.
The transport organisation highlighted that four people die and 68 suffer serious injuries on England's roads daily.
TAN argues that this casualty rate would be considered catastrophic if it occurred in air or rail travel.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
The Transport Action Network is calling for funds to be diverted to road safety projects
PA
It argues that funding from major road enhancement projects being redirected would make targeted safety improvements.
The call comes as TAN reveals that National Highways allocates just 0.5 per cent of its budget to safety and congestion measures, despite claiming safety as its top priority.
TAN's analysis reveals that some of the UK's major infrastructure projects would actually worsen road safety.
The proposed Lower Thames Crossing would result in 26 additional deaths and 182 serious injuries, according to National Highways' own modelling.
The Lower Thames Crossing would connect to the A2 and M2 in KentNATIONAL HIGHWAYSSimilarly, the £1.5billion A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project would improve safety on upgraded sections but increase danger on surrounding roads.
TAN argues that scrapping the A66 scheme alone could fund safety improvements across 3,500 miles of roads instead of just 17 miles.
This reallocation would prevent 10,000 deaths and serious injuries over two decades, delivering 300 times the safety impact of the current A66 plans.
Chris Todd, Director of TAN, condemned the current approach to road safety funding, saying: "Road safety is a neglected issue in transport.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- Electric cars attract lower insurance prices as drivers back away from petrol and diesel vehicles
- M23 chaos: Drivers told to expect delays as major motorway closes near Gatwick Airport due to overrun roadworks
- Nissan to bring electric car manufacturing of popular model to UK’s largest car plant - 'Built in Britain!'
"Everyone claims it's a top priority, but then refuses to fund it properly. Their words are all spin with no care for the lives destroyed."
Todd particularly criticised the transport agency for promoting "grandiose road expansions on safety grounds when their impact is marginal" despite failing to meet casualty reduction targets.
He called for accountability from those responsible for a network where thousands die and suffer serious injuries annually.
"They now need to put their money where their mouth is," Todd added.
The proposed A66 Northern Trans-Pennine road project
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The Road Safety Foundation has proposed a £2.5billion programme that could transform over 5,000 miles of England's most dangerous roads, potentially preventing 17,000 deaths and serious injuries over the next 20 years.
This targeted approach would also reduce pressure on emergency services and the NHS whilst boosting the economy.
TAN and the Transport and Health Science Group have written jointly to Minister for the Future of Roads Lilian Greenwood, urging reallocation of the A66 funding towards comprehensive safety improvements.
GB News has approached National Highways for a comment.
Most Read
