The UK’s 2309 Highways Agency will rebrand as part of the organisation’s first five-year <%$Linker:2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal Strategic Business Plan Visit "highways england strategic business plan 2015 to 2020" page false https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/highways-england-strategic-business-plan-2015-to-2020 false false %> to maintain England’s motorways and major A roads up to 2020.
The plan for England’s strategic road network was developed response to the Road Investment Strategy published in early December. The UK government is getting set to make deliver the largest investment in roads since the 1970s and wants to make sure it gets value for money as well as nearly US$1.9 billion (£1.2 billion) of efficiency savings through innovation, smarter working and better planning.
The document sets out in detail goals for the agency which will be rebranded from late March as Highways England to better reflect its remit. Highways in Scotland are the responsibility of Transport Scotland and in Wales roads are looked after by the Welsh Assembly.
Over the next five years, $17.25 billion (£11 billion) will be spent on capital investment and $7.8 billion (£5 billion) will be spent replacing worn out roads. Around 400 miles of extra capacity will be built by creating a spine of smart motorways that relieve congestion and reduce delays without the need for widening existing roads.
The agency will introduce a standard for A roads known as ‘expressways’ with modernised junctions, refuge areas and advanced technology to keep traffic moving. There also will be substantial resurfacing of the network and noise reducing measures provided at 1,150 locations.
The agency promised to clear 85% of motorway incidents within one hour by working closely with the emergency services and other organisations. As well, a national cycling strategy will be produced by the end of 2015.
Highways England, when it officially starts operating in April, will publish a detailed Delivery Plan setting out how it will proceed to meet targets.
Graham Dalton, Highways Agency chief executive, called the plan “ambitious” but that it will make a big difference for the four million people who drive on English roads daily.
The plan for England’s strategic road network was developed response to the Road Investment Strategy published in early December. The UK government is getting set to make deliver the largest investment in roads since the 1970s and wants to make sure it gets value for money as well as nearly US$1.9 billion (£1.2 billion) of efficiency savings through innovation, smarter working and better planning.
The document sets out in detail goals for the agency which will be rebranded from late March as Highways England to better reflect its remit. Highways in Scotland are the responsibility of Transport Scotland and in Wales roads are looked after by the Welsh Assembly.
Over the next five years, $17.25 billion (£11 billion) will be spent on capital investment and $7.8 billion (£5 billion) will be spent replacing worn out roads. Around 400 miles of extra capacity will be built by creating a spine of smart motorways that relieve congestion and reduce delays without the need for widening existing roads.
The agency will introduce a standard for A roads known as ‘expressways’ with modernised junctions, refuge areas and advanced technology to keep traffic moving. There also will be substantial resurfacing of the network and noise reducing measures provided at 1,150 locations.
The agency promised to clear 85% of motorway incidents within one hour by working closely with the emergency services and other organisations. As well, a national cycling strategy will be produced by the end of 2015.
Highways England, when it officially starts operating in April, will publish a detailed Delivery Plan setting out how it will proceed to meet targets.
Graham Dalton, Highways Agency chief executive, called the plan “ambitious” but that it will make a big difference for the four million people who drive on English roads daily.
