A COMPETITION has been launched to encourage the country's most creative minds to come up with ideas to revolutionise the UK's roads.

Highways England has set aside £20 million to invest in projects to change the way the country’s motorways and major A roads are designed, managed and used.

Entries open on Monday, February 11.

Anyone interested in entering the competition is encouraged to join a webinar, hosted by Innovate UK and Highways England on Thursday February 14.

Mike Wilson, Highways England’s Executive Director for Safety, Engineering and Standards, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs, collaborative partnerships, and organisations of any size to help shape the roads of the future.

“We want to explore new and innovative approaches and invest in the best.

“And we’re keen to engage with a wider network than we have traditionally worked with.

“Together we can make great improvements both to people’s journeys and communities and the environment around our network.”

Examples of projects could include roads which repair themselves, robotic construction methods, and improved connections between different modes of transport.

One competition is for unproven feasibility projects which through a second phase closed competition could be further funded for development. The other competition is for proven projects at development stage.

To lead a project, entrants can be an organisation of any size, and can either work alone or with others as subcontractors.

Entries must be suitable for a trial on England’s strategic road network. Projects are expected to start by September this year.

The funding comes from two of Highways England’s Designated funds – ringfenced pots of money – which the company has set aside for innovation and air quality projects.

Entries can be submitted until May 8.

Visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk