Recommendation 7

HM Government · verbatim extract Accepted

The Government agrees with this recommendation. Between 2020 and 2025, almost half of the investment in strategic roads, though often described as roadbuilding, is in fact for renewing, maintaining and operating the existing network or for funds to retrofit the existing network to improve safety, enhance the natural environment, and tackle noise or pollution. In addition, many new projects support other objectives, such as improving safety, and include work to maintain, renew and improve the resilience of existing assets, often addressing enduring legacy issues of poor network performance. With much of the SRN built in the 1960s and 1970s, many structures and road surfaces on the network are reaching the end of their serviceable life, and so maintenance and renewals to keep the network in a safe and serviceable condition and minimise the need for more structural, intrusive repairs, are likely to be a growing and essential element of the roads programme. The Government recognises that failure to invest in a well-maintained road network will result in lost time, lower productivity, and higher costs for road users and those that rely on the network. It will also reduce the quality of life and increase intrusion for those neighbouring the network. Ensuring infrastructure remains fit for purpose and adapts to the country’s changing needs remains vital for society and the economy to flourish, delivering the next generation of manufacturing, construction and logistics jobs for British workers in every corner of the country. Decisions on the future balance of spending on the SRN are made as part of the statutory process to develop Road Investment Strategies (RISs). The Government is currently developing its investment priorities for RIS3 (2025–30). More details will be set out in the draft RIS3 later in 2023. Recommendation 4: Providing the level of day-to-day running and upkeep that meets the needs of SRN users will require revenue funding alongside capital investment in more costly renewal and repair projects. The Government must, therefore, make sufficient provision for both revenue and capital maintenance funds. This funding could be gained by cancelling complex, costly enhancement projects. Increased user satisfaction should be reflected through Transport Focus’ annual SRN user reports.