Highways England praised

Roads

Highways England has delivered significant performance improvements in its first five years since formation, according to a review by the Office of Rail and Road. 

ORR chief executive John Larkinson said: “Highways England has made very good progress in its first five years, but now that it is an established company, more is expected of it in the second road period.” 

The ORR notes that in roads period 1 (2015/16-2019/20) Highways England only managed to start 67 of the originally proposed 112 major improvement schemes. Many projects increased in cost, contributing to HE recording a net underspend of just one per cent on major schemes, despite the fewer starts. 

RP2, which commenced in April, includes the development and delivery of 46 new projects and the continued delivery of 32 already in construction at the end of RP1. “Over the next five years, we expect an evenly distributed delivery profile and a much more stable portfolio with limited changes occurring, given the greater opportunity HE has had to develop and plan this work,” says the ORR.