The government has given the go-head to more than 50 road and rail schemes.

Plans given the green light include the long awaited A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route and the Portishead to Bristol city centre rail line.

Five strategic road schemes and five key rail upgrades are among the list of projects to be backed by more than £92bn from the Spending Review settlement, a move that will support 42,000 jobs, 39,000 new homes and connect 50,000 more people to the rail network.

Five major road schemes in the north and Midlands have been confirmed as funded including the M54 to M6 link road in Staffordshire, which will cut journey times and connect thousands to key economic hubs across the Midlands.

The M60/M62/M66 Simister Island (Greater Manchester), connecting to developments which could support 20,000 new jobs and 7,000 new homes if planning approval granted, has also been confirmed as funded, alongside the A38 Derby Junctions (Derby) which will support 15,400 new homes and A46 Newark Bypass in Nottinghamshire, which could support thousands of new jobs and homes, if planning approval is granted.

The long awaited A66 Northern Trans-Pennine will also be delivered and will cut journey times across the north, support more than 10,000 new homes and connect millions across the region as a key national and international economic route.    

The government is also announcing key rail projects across the country, including reinstating a passenger rail line between Bristol city centre and Portishead, which last ran more than 60 years ago, delivering three new train stations, bringing thousands more people closer to a railway and funding a Midlands Rail Hub, creating new rail links for more than 50 locations.

Transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “Transport is the backbone of our economy, which is why we are giving them the record funding boost they need, putting taxpayers’ money where it matters most and making every day journeys easier. 

“With over £92bn investment, including the biggest ever boost for city regions in the north and Midlands, we’re delivering the schemes that fast-track economic growth and jobs, connect communities, and will help us build 1.5 million new homes, as we deliver our Plan for Change.  

“We’re forging ahead with the vital new transport infrastructure Britain needs, and improving what we’ve already got, to deliver a new era of renewal and opportunity.”

To support local journeys, the government is also committing support to continue 28 local road schemes vital to connecting and growing communities.

These schemes, which include the Middlewich Eastern Bypass and A382 Drumbridges to Newton Abbot schemes, are not motorways or trunk A-roads, but junctions, bypasses and traffic-easing projects which will improve millions of congested commutes and unlock further housing and jobs.  

Of the £92.8bn, the chancellor has already announced £10.2bn for rail enhancements, improving connectivity and unlocking growth in key areas of the UK, which have for too long struggled with unreliable, infrequent services. This also includes £24bn for motorways, trunk roads and local roads across the country.

Two new stations, Wellington and Cullompton, have been given the green light in the south-west of England, and a new station at Haxby will now be delivered, bringing an additional 20,000 people within 3km of the railway, providing easy access to the regional centres of York and Leeds. 

The Midlands is also set to see a huge improvement to its rail services. The new Midlands Rail Hub will be the region’s biggest and most ambitious rail improvement scheme to date. 

Significant government funding will mean huge numbers of additional trains and extra seats can be added to the rail network in and out of Birmingham every single day. This will support new homes and create greener growth across the Midlands while providing faster, more frequent and brand new rail links for more than 50 locations and creating almost 13,000 construction jobs. 

Investment will also benefit existing rail users. The East Coast Main Line, which runs the length of the country, is already benefiting from an increase to capacity and frequency and will also receive new, upgraded digital signalling, boosting capability and resilience of the line, and reducing delays by one third. This rollout will support new digital skills in the rail sector and the creation of 4,800 new roles across the supply chain.  

An efficient national logistics network is critical to enable business to drive growth across the whole economy and ensures that the right goods are in the right place at the right time – whether that is a factory, office, hospital or doorstep.

Maria Machancoses, chief executive of Midlands Connect, said the go ahead for the Midlands Rail Hub was a “breakthrough moment” for the region.

She said it was one that will lead to a “fundamental shift in opportunities and investment” leading to growth in jobs, housing and the Midlands economy as a direct result.

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome this government commitment, and it is a testament to the determination of our mayors, leaders, MPs and partners across the region who have championed this scheme.  Midlands Rail Hub is a once in a generation chance to change our collective future for the better."

Thanks to the work of the co-sponsor partners involved - Midlands Connect, the Department for Transport, Network Rail and West Midlands Rail Executive – the scheme will progress to Full Business Case completion in 2028, with parts of the scheme entering into service in the early 2030s.