British transport authority Highways England has announced a £218m ($307m) investment to improve roads, pavements and bridges in the East of England.

The investment will be made over the next 12 months to improve the infrastructure across all major motorways and A-roads, including the M11, A14, A1, A47 and A12.

The investment is intended to provide road users in the region with safer, quicker and easier journeys.

Highways England will invest in more than 100 schemes across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Works covered under this scheme include road resurfacing, bridge joint replacements, creation of cycle lanes, signage improvements and landscaping.

Highways England regional director Martin Fellows said: “Hundreds of thousands of drivers use our roads every day for work journeys, home deliveries and the movement of goods and services, so it’s essential we keep them in a good condition to ensure safety and reliability.

“With this investment, Highways England will continue to deliver essential maintenance and upgrades throughout the region to improve safety and help keep drivers on the move.”

Works will begin over the coming weeks, including installing restraint systems, traffic signs, bridge joints, studs and kerbs as well as resurfacing works.

The announcement comes as the UK Government aims to enhance transport network across the country by investing in infrastructure and improving both connections and local economies to cover the impact created by the pandemic.

Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “The investment comes in addition to our plans for major dualling and widening schemes on roads such as the A47 and A12, which will begin construction over the next two to three years.”

Last month, Highways England signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to improve efficiency in addressing road incidents across the West Midlands.

The 52-page MoU seeks to improve coordination between emergency services and reduce disruptions through better traffic management.