improvements & new developments

• How are improvements being made on the UK's roads?

  Capacity on motorways is being increased by upgrading to "smart motorways" with extra lanes, e.g. the M4. Between 2015 and 2020, Highways England created 400 miles of new road capacity, e.g. building a new dual carriageway to link the A5 to the M1 near Luton.
• How are improvements being made on the UK's rail infrastructure?

  Crossrail will increase central London's rail capacity by 10% when it opens fully. The proposed HS2 line linking London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester would increase capacity and allow faster journeys between major English cities.
• How are improvements being made on the UK's airports?

  The UK government has agreed that a new runway is needed in the south east. One proposal is for a third runway at Heathrow airport, which would allow for an extra 700 planes a day. However, this would increase noise and air pollution in the area and increase greenhouse gas emissions.
• How are improvements being made to the UK's ports?

  A new port, London Gateway, opened at the mouth of the River Thames in 2013. It can handle the world's largest container ships and it is hoped that it will become a hub for global trade. Other major ports, such as Felixstowe, are increasing their capacity.