UK government’s Highways Agency makeover to boost infrastructure

The government plans to turn the Highways Agency into a Network Rail-style public company as part of its efforts to boost national transport infrastructure. While the government has revealed plans for a long-term investment totalling €32.37 billion (£28 billion) in road-building, few projects are ‘shovel-ready’, with much of the investment backloaded until 2020. Funding levels will increase to more than €3.46 billion (£3 billion) a year by the end of the decade for major A-roads and motorways. The legislati
July 17, 2013 Read time: 1 min
The government plans to turn the 2309 Highways Agency into a 4139 Network Rail-style public company as part of its efforts to boost national transport infrastructure.

While the government has revealed plans for a long-term investment totalling €32.37 billion (£28 billion) in road-building, few projects are ‘shovel-ready’, with much of the investment backloaded until 2020. Funding levels will increase to more than €3.46 billion (£3 billion) a year by the end of the decade for major A-roads and motorways. The legislation will not include proposals for tolling. The government says maintenance and construction industry will have confidence with a free-standing Highways Agency and a ringfenced budget. To encourage the use of electric vehicles, an additional €576.54 million (£500 million) will be pledged.
Highway & Network Management

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Global growth in machine rental
    May 20, 2015
    The machine rental sector is undergoing significant expansion worldwide – Dan Gilkes reports. Plant hire, equipment rental, leasing, call it what you will, being able to use a machine when and where you need it, with no further concerns relating to ownership costs, depreciation or sudden repair bills, remains a compelling argument for many contractors. Which is one of the main reasons for the continued growth in popularity of equipment rental across the world. Rental has been big business in the UK, the US
    Read More
  • ASECAP: maintenance mindshift turns spending into investment
    August 4, 2017
    With an estimated value of €8 trillion, the road infrastructure is probably the European Union’s largest single asset. It accounts for 83% of passenger journeys and more than 70% of freight movement. Despite this importance, global investment in roads - especially maintenance - has fallen, said Christophe Nicodeme, European Road Federation secretary general. There are grave consequences, noted Nicodeme in his opening keynote address to the recent Study and Information Days gathering, an annual event for mem
    Read More
  • Hungary plans infrastructure investment
    May 10, 2012
    The Hungarian Government is lining up an impressive plan for infrastructure investment in the coming years. A total of €11.14 billion will be used for developing the country’s road infrastructure from the present until 2027. The plans include building 500km of highway and 1,000km of dual carriageway in all. At present the funding sources have not been revealed. It seems likely that European banks will provide some of the funds but private sources are also likely to be used. The build operate transfer and pu
    Read More
  • Indonesia’s massive transport infrastructure development plan
    August 27, 2019
    Indonesia is planning a massive development of its infrastructure, with transport being a key priority. The 2020 budget at $27.64 billion is 4.9% greater than the $26.37 billion set for 2019. The largest portion of the budget will be used for road building, with plans to expand the major road network by 837km, a significant jump from the 406km of roads for 2019. In addition, 6.9km of new bridges will be built in 2020. Also figuring in the transport plans will be 239km of rail links and three airports. Addit
    Read More

Highlighted Content