Highways England has announced a major investment in roads across Yorkshire and the Humber, which will see £1.3 billion funnelled into transport network improvements for the region by the end of the decade.

With more than 100 new road schemes set to take place across the country in the next five years, Yorkshire and the Humber has been earmarked as an area in need of particular attention.

Delivered as part of the government's ongoing Road Investment Strategy, the coming years will see major improvements for the A1, M62, M1, A63, A180 and A628, among other routes.

Secretary of state for transport Patrick McLoughlin said: "Roads are key to our nation's prosperity. That’s why, as part of our long-term economy plan, we are making the biggest investment in roads in a generation.

"The £1.3 billion investment in Yorkshire and the Humber over the next five years will significantly improve journeys and help create jobs. Through schemes like these we are building the northern powerhouse and creating opportunities for hardworking people across the nation."

Highways England Yorkshire and north-east divisional director Vanessa Gilbert concluded that the improvements to the local transport network will see millions of pounds of resurfacing for ageing carriageways, coupled with the installation of safety barriers and traffic management measures that will mean roads are both safer and more reliable in the years ahead.

She added that in addition to the £1.3 billion earmarked by the government for projects across the region, Highways England will also be spending an extra £100 million per year for smaller scale improvement schemes for many local roads.