Expected to save the taxpayer £2.6m over the next 10 years
Government confirms new company Highways England will run motorways and major A-roads from 1 April 2015.
The way England’s motorways and A-roads are built and managed is set for a transformational change next month after the government announced the ‘go-live’ of the Highways England.
Highways England is a new arms-length government company that will take over running motorways and major trunk roads from the Highways Agency on 1 April 2015.
The new company will have new longer-term funding, which will mean it can plan ahead and invest in skills and equipment to speed up essential work and drive down costs to the taxpayer.
The move is part of a radical package of road reform that is expected to save the taxpayer at least £2.6 billion over the next 10 years.
Transport Minister John Hayes said: “These reforms will mean the biggest, boldest and most far-reaching roads upgrade for decades. Ensuring we have well maintained roads and motorways is essential to a modern transport system that will boost our economy, create jobs and give more choice about where we live and work whilst delivering billions in savings.”
The government’s Autumn Statement in December announced the ‘Road investment strategy’, which set out how Highways England will spend £15.2 billion on 84 new national road projects to help radically enhance connectivity.
In addition the government has announced plans to tackle longstanding problems including a new strategic corridor to the south west via the A303, including a 1.8 mile tunnel at Stonehenge, a long term commitment of around £2 billion.
The ‘Road investment strategy’ included a commitment of £4.5 billion to add an extra lane to our key motorways to boost connectivity between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Yorkshire.
Other measures include 9 major improvements along the A1 from Berwick to London, taking it to motorway standard through Yorkshire and extending the continuous dual carriageway 24 miles further north, part of £2.3 billion worth of new investment in Yorkshire and the north east.
The government’s commitment to new spending on roads amounts to a tripling of annual investment in road improvements to over £3 billion per year by 2021.
The establishment of Highways England will bring an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability to the operation of England’s motorways and A-roads. Highways England will transform the way government deals with the strategic road network, while remaining fully accountable to Parliament through ministers, who will have the power to direct the new body as they see fit.
