Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Sixth Report - Strategic road investment
Transport Committee
HC 904
Published 27 July 2023
Recommendations
6
Accepted
Provide credible strategy and milestone targets for SRN future vehicle fuel infrastructure
Recommendation
The Government must provide a credible strategy which sets out how the SRN will meet the fuel needs of the future vehicle fleet, including for freight, and provide milestone targets for delivering infrastructure to do so. (Paragraph 26) Meeting user …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, explaining its existing use of experts like the ORR and IPA in developing and scrutinising Road Investment Strategies. It states that existing plans are in place to mitigate risks to project delivery, but does not commit to a specific new strategy or milestone targets for future fuel infrastructure.
Department for Transport
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Conclusions (3)
2
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 19
Transport remains the biggest greenhouse gas contributor in the UK and the Government’s strategy for decarbonising transport by 2050 is reliant on a rapid switch to zero emissions vehicles. However, in all future scenarios modelled by the Department for Transport, traffic on the Strategic Road Network is forecast to increase, …
Government Response Summary
The government partially agreed, outlining its credible strategies for the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including a planned zero emission HGV infrastructure strategy for 2024, and work on hydrogen refuelling stations, but did not explicitly address managing demand for new roads.
7
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 35
The existing Strategic Road Network is ageing and requires significant renewal work in places, while many users want to see better day-to-day maintenance and upkeep of the network. Future investment should be focused on renewing older parts of the SRN and ensuring that resources are available to run the network …
Government Response Summary
The government notes the recommendation, describing its existing engagement with Sub-national Transport Bodies and National Highways' current license requirements regarding stakeholder views for investment priorities. It does not commit to prioritising maintenance and renewal over new projects in future Road Investment Strategies.
13
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 67
Understanding and scrutinising the delivery progress of a RIS portfolio, or given project is not simple. It involves cross-referencing several annual reporting documents from National Highways and the Office of Rail and Road which are not updated with changes made in the interim. This is not accessible or transparent, especially …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and will work with National Highways and the ORR to explore the opportunity for more frequent public project reporting in one place, while acknowledging that a genuinely 'live' update system is not practical.