Highways England has briefed suppliers about the UK Government’s plan to invest £2.2bn on improving the capacity and condition of roads in the South East by 2020.

A part of the government’s road investment strategy, the investment will see enhancements and repairs along a series of motorways and A roads until 2021, giving road users simpler, faster and more reliable journeys, while boosting the region’s economy.

Announced last year, the strategy aims to triple levels of spending on roads by the end of the decade.

"It’s vital that we continue to improve the existing road network as well, which is why we’re investing over £200m this year alone."

Highways England south-east regional director Simon Jones said: "We’re delivering £2.2bn investment in improvements to the South East’s motorways and major A roads over the next five years.

"That includes nearly 150 miles of extra lanes, new junctions, and measures to tackle congestion, benefitting businesses, local residents and road users as well as delivering a fourfold return on investment for the UK economy.

"It’s vital that we continue to improve the existing road network as well, which is why we’re investing over £200m this year alone in resurfacing, improving technology and safety measures and other maintenance projects."

Work will include enhancing capacity on the M3 and M27 roads, upgrading the M20 near Maidstone to a smart motorway, upgrading the M4 to a smart motorway between Reading and the M25, upgrading the A27 and the M25, as well as tackling congestion on the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury.

The plan also envisions improvements to junctions on the A2 and the M3, tackling delays on the A31 near Ringwood in Hampshire, increasing capacity on the M2, improving access to the A12 and A3 from the M25, apart from developing plans for an additional Lower Thames Crossing.

Work is scheduled to start on 24 new major projects by 2020, while upgrades are already underway on the M3, A21 and M25 at Junction 30, to help reduce congestion and improving journey times for drivers.