PLANS to spend £2billion improving some of the key roads in the South-West have been set by the Highways England and suppliers and stakeholders.

The investment will see improvements being developed along a series of motorways and A roads between now and 2021.

Highways England say the improvements will give road users simpler, daster and more reliable journeys and boost the region's economy. 

Here in South Somerset, it includes dualling the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester and dualling the A358 from the M5 at Taunton to A303 at Southfields. 

The work is part of the government’s ‘Road Investment Strategy’ to triple levels of spending on roads by the end of the decade, which was announced last year.

Highways England, the government-owned company which took over responsibility for England’s motorways and major A roads earlier this year, set out its plan for the South-West at an event in Yeovil earlier today.

Highways England regional director, Andrew Page-Dove said: “Our road network connects, people, places and business and this new investment will bring huge improvements to journeys around the South-West.

“The Government has committed record funding to specific projects to ensure our roads continue to play a key role in supporting connections in and out of the South West.

“As Highways England, we’re delivering that investment to help unlock billions for the economy by increasing road capacity, reducing congestion and improving safety and accessibility for those that use or live alongside our roads.”

Roads Minister Andrew Jones added: “As part of our long-term economic plan, we are making the biggest investment in roads in a generation.

"The £2 billion investment in the South West of England will significantly improve journeys and help create jobs.

“We’re upgrading key roads like the A303 and A30 and building a new junction on the M49 near Bristol. 

"The A303/A30/A358 corridor provides one of the main access routes between London, the South-East and the South-West.

"We will also be dualling the A303 between Sparkford and Ilchester and the A358 between the M5 at Taunton and A303 at Southfields.

"These three schemes are the first steps in our aspirations to provide an expressway between the M3 and the South West."

Across the South West, Highways England will also invest a further £90 million during 2015/16 to resurface roads, repair and renew structures like bridges and viaducts; and improve safety barriers.

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/highways