A14 toll plans scrapped as Government increases road funding

The government's plans to introduce tolls on the A14 as part of the National Infrastructure Plan have been scrapped.

When the plan was first unveiled in July this year, the government announced it would be introducing toll charges on the A14 to help pay for improvements along the road, which is considered to be a vital transport route. Such improvements have been discussed for several years.

Local objections have now caused the scheme to be dropped, and the estimated £1.5bn cost of widening the road will be footed by the government. 

Plans announced today reveal a further £66bn will be put into new transport, energy and telecommunications projects. That's doubled from the £28bn that was promised in July, and was intended to improve the transport network, bring some of the UK's worst roads back up to standard and also fund new electric and low-carbon vehicle development.

As part of the National Infrastructure Plan, the government has also announced it will be putting £10 million into funding the development of driverless cars, with the aim of making the UK a world leader in autonomous driving technology.