NEWS
James Gray, Member of Parliament for North Wiltshire has welcomed £6,980,000 of Government funding to make the A3102 which links Melksham, Calne and Swindon, safer for drivers and prevent fatal and serious injuries.The funding is part of a £50 million package provided by the Government through the Safer Roads Fund to improve the safety of 27 of the country’s most dangerous roads.This new funding builds on the £100 million already provided through the programme which includes the Government working with local authorities and safety groups to improve our roads.According to Road Safety Foundation analysis, early estimates suggest that the £47.5 million investment should prevent around 760 fatal and serious injuries over the next 20 years, with a benefit to society of £420 million.The fund follows the actions the Government has already taken to improve road safety, including banning any use of handheld mobile phones behind the wheel and updating the Highway Code to introduce a hierarchy of road users, which places road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy.Commenting James Gray MP said: “Unsafe roads can be fatal for drivers, and we must increase road safety to ensure people can get on with their day to day lives without harm.“That is why I am delighted the Government have provided Wiltshire Council with nearly £7 million of funding, the largest allocation in this round of the fund, to fix the A3102 and improve the route for drivers.“This vital funding will not only save lives but improve day-to-day journeys for people getting to work or to visit friends and family.” Transport Secretary Mark Harper added: “Britain’s roads are some of the safest in the world, but we are always looking at ways to help keep drivers and all road users safe.“We’re injecting £47.5 million so that local councils around the country have the support they need to keep everyone safe, while reducing congestion and emissions and supporting local economies.”
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