The government is to part-privatise the roads in a bid to attract much needed investment for the UK's creaking transport network.
Prime Minster David Cameron will announce a feasibility study during a speech at the Institute of Civil Engineers later today.
In a bid to raise millions in investment, foreign companies would be invited to sign long leases to run motorways and major A-roads.
The model would be much the same that used for the UK’s water and sewage supply
The government will also rule out tolls on existing roads and motorways.
However the adoption of the continental approach could yet come to pass, as those investing would be free to introduce tolls on new lanes or roads.
In the short-term investors would receive a percentage of the government's road tax revenue.
