Robert Largan MP has welcomed £50 million in Government investment through the Safer Road Fund, to improve road safety for people across the country.

The High Peak stands to benefit from the announcement, which builds on the £100 million already provided through the programme which includes the Government working with local authorities and safety groups to improve our roads.

The 7 ½ mile stretch of the A5004 between Buxton and Whaley bridge has benefitted from previous rounds of the fund, with Derbyshire County Council receiving around £2.5 million to improve safety. The consultation for the Council’s proposals closed in December, with plans set to be finalised shortly.

The latest round of funding will invest £4,213,200 in Derbyshire’s roads to fix more potholes and follows the actions the Conservative Government has already taken to improve road safety, including banning any use of handheld mobile phones behind the wheel and updating the Highway Code to introduce a hierarchy of road users, which places road users most at risk in the event of a collision at the top of the hierarchy.

According to Road Safety Foundation analysis, early estimates suggest that the £47.5 million investment should prevent around 760 fatal and serious injuries over the next 20 years, with a benefit to society of £420 million

Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented:

“I’m really pleased to see even more investment in Derbyshire and the High Peak, which builds on the hundreds of millions I have secured from the Government.

“This funding has huge potential to stop more collisions and save more lives which is very important, especially in rural communities like those across the High Peak.

“The Conservative Government has a proven track record of delivering on road safety and this is the latest in a long line of significant improvements.”