Road upgrades will be big enough for future traffic growth, DfT vows to MPs

The DfT is seeking to cater for future motorists. Pictured: the Dartford Crossing.

The DfT is seeking to cater for future motorists. Pictured: the Dartford Crossing.

"Generations of travellers" will be catered for by upgrades to the strategic road network, the DfT vows today after MPs slammed it for allowing river-crossings to be built that could not accommodate future growth.

The DfT in a response to the transport select committee says consideration of long-term capacity is now "at the heart of the Government's six new strategic studies on the future of the strategic road network". It says that, "particularly in Manchester's north-west and London's south-west, the idea of how to assess capacity needs to provide solutions that are robust for generations of travellers is now embedded in the development process".  

The Department also rejects criticism that it has failed to consult on a new Lower Thames Crossing, saying Highways England is seeking consenus with a stakeholder advisory panel representing local authorities. The Department also is involving other Whitehall departments "to ensure that strategic priorities including the regeneration of the Thames Estuary inform any decisions". It has promised a formal consultation on the scheme to relieve the Dartford Crossing by next year.

The DfT declines to respond to a suggestion that it should seek to assess the impact of driverless cars on future capacity requirements. In a second response to the committee on future motoring it says it wants to accelerate the introduction of autonomous vehicles "because of the benefits their introduction could bring".