Transport secretary Justine Greening has unveiled proposals for a major reform of the strategic road network.
Responding to Alan Cook’s independent review of the network, published last November, the minister has committed to a long-term strategy for motorways and trunk roads within the next six months.
Central to the plan would be a 20-year plan and new performance targets for the Highways Agency to deliver against, the Department for Transport (DfT) said in a statement on Thursday.
The plans were published alongside the terms of reference of a DfT/Treasury feasibility study – ordered by the prime minister David Cameron in March – to establish innovative new ways of attracting private sector funding for the road network.
The Cook review urged ministers to examine the business case for building and operating new routes and connections – not provided by the current network – as private toll roads.
The feasibility study will informally consult external stakeholders and experts and provide a report to the prime minister in the autumn.
Ms Greening said: ‘It is vital that we start taking positive steps now to improve how we operate, maintain and enhance our major roads.
‘My goal is to transform the Highways Agency in to a best in class organisation. That’s why I have agreed to many of the actions Alan Cook recommends. This paves the way for a more efficient, business like and commercially focussed operator, which crucially does much more to listen and respond to the needs of road users.
‘Together with the terms of reference for the feasibility study, this constitutes an ambitious integrated programme for reforming the road network in both the short and long term.’
Roads reform response
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