The government will be spending £1.9 billion to invest in road improvements next year.

Announced by road secretary Robert Goodwill, this is more than twice the amount spent this year - it is also part of a larger £4.3 billion in future backing.

Projects for next year include 178 operations to resolve local bottlenecks and 31 major improvements on the UK's road networks.

Mr Goodwill said: "We are already seeing massive improvements being made to our major roads and motorways. In 2014 the public will see even greater improvements right across the country."

This emphasis on improving the country's road network comes as the government prioritises such investments - it is expecting 43 per cent more traffic by 2040.

Previous and ongoing expansion can be seen in northern motorways, such as those around Manchester and leading into Yorkshire - these involve the converted stretches of hard shoulder into permanent lanes alongside improving signalling to control speed.

Infrastructure UK and the Department for Transport also announced all eight projects under the 2010 spending review were completed ahead of time.