This strategic review of the roads programme is published following the Government's White paper `A new deal for transport: better for everyone' (Cm 3950) (see IRRD 491254). The review has been carried out against the White Paper's criteria of accessibility, safety, economy, environment and integration. The main aspects of the review are; (1) a new direction for the Highways Agency, encapsulated in a new strategic aim and new objectives; (2) a core network of nationally important trunk roads, comprising c60% of the existing trunk roads; (3) new planning arrangements for trunk roads, taking account of the integrated transport policy; (4) better maintenance and making better use of trunk roads; this will include a "tool kit" of techniques, eg variable speed limits, controlling access to motorways, and giving priority to buses and lorries; (5) new dedicated budgets for noise and safety improvements; and (6) a carefully targetted programme of larger scale improvements. A total of 36 schemes will be withdrawn from the programme.
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