DfT hails Infrastructure Bill reading as a “significant step forward”

The second reading of the Infrastructure Bill yesterday represents “another significant step forward” for changes to how major roads will be managed from 2015, comments the Department for Transport. The bill provides the legal framework for the government’s £15 billion ‘Road investment strategy’. It includes major reforms to the Highways Agency.

The Highways Agency will become a government-owned company, and the DfT opines this change will ensure greater certainty over the upgrades planned between now and 2021, while saving the taxpayer at least £2.6 billion over the next 10 years. The Highways Agency will also be replaced with Highways England from April 2015. It will be responsible for delivering over 100 new road schemes between now and the end of next parliament.

“This government is making a transformational £15 billion worth of improvements to our road network between now and 2021,” says Roads Minister John Hayes. “It is only right that the new government-owned company has a name that reflects its new role, as a road operator that delivers a fast, efficient and better service for road users and the country.”

A strategic road network monitor role will be undertaken by the Office of Rail Regulation, who will publish information on the performance of the new Highways England and will have the power to take action for poor performance. The bill will also see Passenger Focus renamed Transport Focus, to provide road users with a stronger voice in how roads are managed and maintained. It is expected to receive Royal Assent by March 2015.