Transport minister Patrick McLoughlin and chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander have launched the ‘Road investment strategy’, which will involve spending £15 billion on road improvements before 2020.

The funding will add 84 road improvements to the 16 that have already been approved. Over 1,300 miles of new lanes will be added to some of the country’s busiest roads as part of the project. This will include developing smart motorways, which use electronic signs to manage and reduce congestion.

Chancellor George Osborne welcomed the new spending plans, and said: “Now that this government is fixing the economy, we can afford to invest properly in our roads – unlocking jobs for the future and local growth by creating a road network that is fit for the 21st century.”

A separate fund of £10 billion has also been created to finance road maintenance works after the General Election in May 2015.