This financial year the Agency aims to start construction work on six major road schemes: M25 widening junctions 16-23 and also junctions 27-30, Hard Shoulder Running on M6 junction 8-10a, A14 Felixstowe to M1 traffic management technology improvements, Hard Shoulder Running on M1 junction 10-13, and also on M4 junction 19-20 and M5 junction 15-17.

As well as this the Agency is bringing forward work valued at £400m as part of the Government's Fiscal Stimulus measures. This includes starting construction work in April on the A46 Newark to Widmerpool scheme three years ahead of the original timetable, as well as making a start on the managed motorways programme, and a substantial programme of asset renewal work.

Graham Dalton, Highways Agency Chief Executive, said:  "We now have a defined major roads programme for 2009-10 and beyond, which includes rolling out the innovative Hard Shoulder Running and Active Traffic Management schemes on key sections of our motorway network."

Last week, the Agency announced the Midnight Switch-Off lighting strategy to reduce carbon emissions by up to 40 per cent on six motorway stretches as part of the Sustainable Development Action Plan. This year's Business Plan includes the Agency's first carbon reduction targets, which have been set using data gathered during 2008-09.
A copy of the Business Plan is available at: http://www.highways.gov.uk/businessplan