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Highways Agency to become government-owned in infrastructure shake-up

Image of James Fossdyke
Author: | Updated: 01 May 2014 18:40

The Highways Agency is to become government-run in a bid to improve the way Britain’s “neglected” roads are managed.

Changing the Highways Agency to a government-owned organisation will save the taxpayer an estimated £2.6bn over the coming decade, as well as making it more accountable to MPs and providing it with a more consistent source of income.

Highways Agency motorway

The government has already ring-fenced over £24bn to upgrade Britain’s motorways and A-roads by 2021 as part of a £56bn investment in the UK’s transport infrastructure.

As part of the reform, the government will also create two new bodies to regulate the Highways Agency: one to protect the interests of motorists and another to oversee the roads network and keep an eye on costs and performance.

Patrick McLoughlin, the Transport Secretary, rubber-stamped the move after a consultation which was published on April 30. The next step will be to introduce the relevant legislation before the company comes into operation in April 2015.

McLoughlin said: “Our road network is an incredibly important national asset, but it has been neglected. This government has committed to the biggest ever investment in our roads but it is vital we have the right foundations in place to make sure this huge amount of money is spent in the most efficient way.

“The reformed Highways Agency will be more transparent and more accountable, driving down costs as it increases efficiency. This means taxpayers get a better deal and road users get a network that is fit for the future economic demands of this country, helping to create more jobs and support business growth.”

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