THE Yorkshire and Humber region is to receive a major boost in spending on roads.
Details were announced yesterday of the cash, which could see the widening of the M1 and M62 and improved access to the port of Hull.
The region is set to receive one sixth of the overall increase in funding, a major boost in delivering a number of its key transport priorities.
The move follows calls for a major re- allocation in Government spending.
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has earmarked £1.2bn for a package of measures to deliver increased capacity for South and West Yorkshire's motorways, and the A1.
This includes improvements to the M1 and M18, which are key to South Yorkshire's economic restructuring, and the M62 near Leeds.
A further £137m is identified for a major improvement to the A63 in Hull.
This has the potential to provide a landmark feature in the city centre, allowing people to walk from the city centre to the marina without needing to cross a busy dual carriageway.
It will also improve access to the port area.
The projects were highlighted as priorities in two studies carried out in the region.
Earlier, a Commons Select Committee was told that the region had previously received just over three-quarters of the national average of Government spending on transport.
Yorkshire Forward chairman Sir Graham Hall said the projects were fundamental to meeting the region's economic needs.
"These announcements will go a long way to addressing the problems we face as our economy grows," he added.
"We have some of the fastest traffic growth in the country, with regular congestion on our motorways linking our key cities.
"We have lobbied hard for these improvements. This boost in spending is exactly what we have been calling for.
"I hope study work by the Highways Agency will be completed as quickly as possible and look forward to the Government being able to firmly commit to schemes soon.
"Our own surveys of firms show that transport is of increasing concern to them. These announcements will help boost our long- term competitiveness."
