Around 900 extra lane miles of road capacity is to be added to England's strategic highway network by 2021.

This represents an increase of over a third on the previous decade and is the result of a £24 billion investment made by the government.

Funding for enhancements to the country's motorways and major A roads is set to triple over the next six years, with more than £9 billion of this to be spent on maintenance.

The coalition government has committed to 60 new road schemes, most of which will be completed by 2021.

Roads minister John Hayes said the coalition had taken "difficult decisions" to secure the extra investment. 

"This extra capacity will be achieved mainly by the use of smart motorways and selective widening to minimise the environmental impact," he added.

More road schemes could be added to the programme after the 2014 autumn statement, which may include solutions to some of the most notorious hotspots on England's roads.