National Highways has unveiled its plan for the Strategic Road Network from 2025 to 2030. The focus will be on local improvements rather than constructing new roads. This aligns with the strategy discussed by National Highways’ CEO at last year’s NCE Future of Roads conference. Recommendations are provided to the government on priorities for the next five years leading up to the release of the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3). National Highways’ representative was scheduled to provide more details on the RIS3 plan at NCE’s 2023 UK Roads conference.
The plan focuses on proactive maintenance, enhancement works, and increased investment in projects valued between £2M to £25M. By improving slip roads, junctions, and connections to local roads, National Highways aims to address safety and congestion issues and spread opportunities for better transportation. The plan also includes a commitment to continue ongoing projects from the 2020-2025 RIS2 plan, such as the Stonehenge Tunnel, the Lower Thames Crossing, and the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine dualling scheme.
Other proposals in consideration involve prioritizing safety by targeting a decrease in fatalities and serious injuries. This can be achieved through specific upgrades to single-carriageway A-roads. Initially, the focus will be on 17 routes covering 235km. Additionally, road users will be provided with personalized and real-time information on congestion, ongoing incidents, and planned roadworks. National Highways will also explore investing in infrastructure for non-motorized users like pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians. This may involve acquiring additional land to create physically separated paths and cycle lanes, both alongside and away from the main road.
Proactive maintenance will be emphasized to address issues before they escalate, aiming to minimize major repairs and disruptions across the network.
Improving the overall travel experience is another goal. This includes facilitating the transition to zero carbon motoring by supporting the installation of approximately 2,500 open-access rapid charge points for electric vehicles by 2030. Additionally, opportunities to promote biodiversity will be maximized through initiatives like planting an extra 3 million trees by 2030.
All these will go through an eight-week consultation by the Department for Transport. Published alongside National Highways’ long-term strategic plan, Connecting the Country, is a publication that highlights the challenges faced by busy roads and emphasizes the role of investment in addressing congestion and improving traffic flow.
Additionally, National Highways has released 20 Route Strategies to establish a comprehensive evidence base on network performance, identifying current issues and anticipating future challenges. Furthermore, the company has introduced its Environmental Sustainability Strategy, outlining its vision to manage roads in a sustainable manner and leverage the network’s potential for positive impact. National Highways intends to reduce maintenance and construction emissions by up to 50% by 2030 through strategies like minimizing new works and implementing carbon management practices.
In line with their commitment to sustainability, National Highways aims to achieve net-zero corporate emissions by 2030, without relying on purchased offsetting. They plan to transition to renewable energy, convert road lighting to low-energy LEDs, and switch all traffic officer vehicles to electric power.
The crucial role of the motorway and A-road network in supporting growth and promoting equality between regions over the next three decades has been emphasized thoroughly. Recognizing the increasing demand for the network, National Highways aims to balance safety, reliability, and social and environmental responsibility. They intend to explore innovative methods to facilitate active travel, public transport, and digital technology to enhance customer decision-making and network management efficiency.
