Some 65,000 vehicles use the route between Rotherham and Sheffield a day, which also provides access to the M1, and the £42m announced today will convert it into a three-lane carriageway to increase the capacity.

Junction 33 on the intersecting M1 will also benefit from carriageway widening and resurfacing.

The Government said the upgrades would help boost the region’s economy, and Baroness Vere said: “The funding announced today will make a real difference to thousands of commuters’ journeys in the region every day, and further demonstrates our ongoing commitment to levelling up transport infrastructure in the North.

“By boosting the capacity on this vital A-road, and delivering this scheme in good time, we’ll help improve connectivity, cut journey times and boost local economies in South Yorkshire.”

The main works are set to start soon and the new road is scheduled to open in Summer 2022, with the Department for Transport’s funding contribution forming the majority of the total scheme cost of £46m.

The announcement of the funding package comes after The Northern Transport Acceleration Council was established earlier this year. The council was created with the desire to speed up the delivery of Northern transport projects, cut bureaucracy and red tape and give Northern mayors and council leaders a direct line to ministers.

£42m of Government funding to upgrade A630 between Sheffield and Rotherham