Overview

With the political backdrop recently changing from spending our way to growth through to a more restricted, austerity government, we need to find some clear priorities for funding.  Digital highways, maintenance, new build and carbon reduction are all common topics being debated as to where the money should be spent and be the most effective.

Digital tools are available, but we need to make smart use of them and more consistent funding would certainly help.  Strategic and local roads are all part of one network; if you fail to invest in one part of the network, the whole thing fails.  Equally, the net zero race can only be won if everyone wins.  However, funding is currently very siloed, which hinders collaboration.

Many argue that there needs to be a simplified mechanism to deliver funding instead of the current system of competitive funding pots.  From the road users’ point of view they don’t differentiate between strategic or local roads and with the knowledge and power of data and technology, we need to think beyond traditional network boundaries to how we can best deliver end-to-end journeys.

This Forum will discuss some of these and other key issues and what changes are required to really make a difference for delivering better outcomes.