BUSY roads across Dorset could benefit from a £100 million cash injection from central government.

The Major Roads Network (MRN) could see 5,000 miles of A roads across England become eligible for upgrades and improvements from the National Roads Fund.

Schemes which could be considered include bypasses, missing links between existing routes, road widening, major junction improvements and the use of technological and safety enhancements along stretches of the network.

Roads in Dorset identified for potential projects are: the A338 between Ringwood and Bournemouth; the A347/A348 between Palmersford Roundabout and Mountbatten Roundabout; the A3049 between Springbourne Roundabout and Fleetsbridge Roundabout; the A349/A341 between Merley Roundabout and Fleetsbridge Roundabout (including Broadstone Way); the A350/A35 Upton Bypass, and the A35 between Bere Regis and Bakers Arms roundabout.

Under the proposals, road upgrades will be developed by councils for these particular routes and, where possible, sub-national transport bodies – a regional body that influences funding decisions.

The strategy is being developed to address traffic congestion issues and support the future housing and regeneration plans for towns and cities across the country including in Dorset.

Chris Grayling, transport secretary, said: “For decades, these major local roads have been underfunded and not properly maintained.

“We are spending record amounts on improving our roads and we want more of our busiest roads to benefit from guaranteed investment.

“This will unlock no end of benefits for communities by improving motorists’ journeys, taking traffic away from built-up areas, as well as enabling new housing to be built and creating jobs.”

It is planned that a review of the MRN will mirror the planned investment in the strategic road network, which includes motorways and large A roads managed by Highways England.

The consultation comes following the publication of the South of England North-South Connectivity Prospectus, created by Bath and North East Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset and Poole councils, together with local enterprise partnerships, which lays out the economic needs for improved links by road.

Ian Girling, chief executive of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce, said: “Traffic congestion and the transport infrastructure is an issue that is a constant concern for businesses across Dorset – and the whole south west.

“Ongoing investment and planning in transport and the road network is an essential platform for economic growth in Dorset. We would very much support this consultation and would encourage businesses to have their say.”