Despite the continuing problems with the rail network, at least one area of British transport finally got some good news today, as the Highways Agency set out its plans in a £1.68billion package to ease congestion, improve safety and deliver better information for people using the country's motorways and major strategic routes across England.

Launched by Transport Minister David Jamieson today, the agency's 2002/03 Business plan sets out a detailed programme of work to:

• Spend £740 million on maintenance to keep the network safe and available for use. To ease congestion 90 percent of routine maintenance will be carried out off-peak or at night.
• Spend £698m on major road projects, opening to traffic eight major schemes under the government's targeted programme of improvements to ease congestion and improve safety.
• Warn drivers of queues ahead by installing automatic hold-up warning systems on a further 200km of motorways. Coupled with extensive use of variable message signs this will help ease congestion and boost safety.
• Carry out the 3.5km, £17m A27 Polegate bypass in Sussex, with another 18 opening to traffic by 2005.
• Award the multi-million pound innovative public private partnership contract to build and run the 33 mile section of A1(M) between Darrington and Dishforth in Yorkshire - the winning contractor will design, finance, build and operate the road.
• Carry out an extensive programme of small-scale congestion and safety improvements across the network including junction improvements, cycleways, and noise mitigation.
• Progress work on the country's strategic traffic control centre project to manage jams on national and local roads.
• Work in partnership with the police and others to plan the £40m active traffic management project on the M42 near Birmingham
• Begin installing improved, user-friendly emergency telephones along motorways.
• Protect animal and plant species and their habitats along the network by implementing the national biodiversity action plan for strategic roads.

David Jamieson said: "Drivers will benefit from these programmes of work. Improving the national road network will make a big difference to road users and the communities living alongside them. Boosting the national roads network is vital to supporting business and industry and protecting jobs. Under the government's 10-year plan, roads are an essential component in developing an integrated, effective transport system to meet the country's needs. Through this plan the Agency is building on its excellent record of delivering services to the public. I welcome the innovate solutions it is bringing forward to tackle congestion, improve safety and minimise the impact of roads on the environment."

Highways Agency Chief Executive Tim Matthew said: "Delivering safer, more reliable journeys for road users is the central requirement for the Agency under the 10-year plan for transport. The Business Plan 2002/03 covers years two to four of the plan and reinforces our commitment improving the network for road users. The motorway and trunk road network is one of the safest in the world but we will make it safer for users and those living next to it. Boosting information through more variable message signs, and bigger schemes such as the national traffic control centre project will enable us to deliver timely, accurate information on alternative routes for drivers to beat the jams. We are committed to sharpening up the way we carry out our business such as the procurement of services to ensure we offer taxpayers value for money."