A MAJOR road building progamme threatens to devastate the rural environment, say countryside campaigners.

Government plans for a return to major road building would fail to solve congestion in the longer term – in fact it would make it worse, said the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

It could also devastate wide areas of countryside, said the campaign group.

The CPRE said it welcomed plans in last month's 2013 Spending Review for £10bn to repair existing roads.

But this was dwarfed by £18bn for major road building announced in the same review.

Many of the road schemes announced were along corridors where improvements to the rail network were urgently needed, said the CPRE. These should be prioritised first.

Cash announced for roads should be able to be used for alternatives to road building, as these were often better for the economy while coming at far lower environmental cost.

"There is clearly a need to bring older roads up to modern environmental standards," said the CPRE.

This included installing low noise surfaces, reducing light pollution and providing safe routes and crossings for walking, cycling and riding.

"Such improvements can often be delivered much more quickly than major schemes and so can help deliver economic prosperity."

The Highways Agency is due to consult this summer on the details of the proposals.

The CPRE said it would be campaigning to ensure the needs of communities alongside routes were considered - as well as walkers, cyclists and the natural environment.

Road protesters walked the length of one planned route through the Sussex countryside on Saturday (13 July) in a rally against the government's plans.

Hundreds of demonstrators walked along the planned Bexhill-to-Hastings link road, which passes through a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Ministers are expected to release details if their road reform plans before MPs start their summer recess on Thursday (18 July).

Campaigners say the plans will lead to more than 250 roads being tarmacked through some of the most treasured countryside.

The government says the largest programme of investment in roads for half a century will help provide the infrastructure necessary to boost the economy.