The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation calls for the UK Government to realise savings of £2.2bn by moving to long-term funding models for local authority highway maintenance.
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
Ahead of the Autumn Budget 2026, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) submitted a representation encouraging the UK Government to reconsider accessing efficiency savings of up to £2.2 billion generated by introducing a five-year funding model for local authority highway maintenance.
The Autumn Budget is due to be delivered by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon John Healey MP, on 28th October 2026.
The submission from CIHT to HM Treasury for the Autumn Budget 2026 can be found here.
CIHT’s submission to HM Treasury highlights the potential savings of up to £2.2billion that the UK Government could harness and reinvest back into maintenance for the local roads network by moving to a five-year funding cycle for local authorities.
Investment in new affordable housing should prioritise the delivery of affordable housing that is well-connected and serviced by affordable and sustainable transport means.
Strategic investment in technical skills and expertise in transport planning and integration of public transport services is needed at a local level
Establishment of a dedicated fund to support and accelerate delivery of highways projects in vulnerable areas to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events
Deliver a four-point strategy for the local highway network (LHN_ that will create a vision, funding and focus for the LHN over a rolling five-year period
Consistent funding to reshape the required infrastructure and services to holistically promote walking, wheeling and cycling networks.
A strategic review investigating the impact of road safety outcomes on the NHS, social care, and economic productivity.
Investment to ensure that local authorities have the funds to share and implement best practice in road safety
Invest in ensuring individuals can afford and access educational opportunities
Funding must ensure that access to affordable transport is distributed equitably and build on the positive shift to increased bus travel because of subsidised bus fares
Allocate funding for disability equality awareness training for all local authority personnel who are designing and changing the public realm
Incentivise by making some of the funding for transport schemes only available to local authorities that have trained staff
Accessibility training should also be provided for housing and retail developers.
Consider the possible barriers to the adoption of electric vehicles and provide funding to support those who are priced out or negatively impacted
Investigate mobility pricing, such as a pay-per-mile scheme
CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with HM Treasury, the Department for Transport, and the wider UK Government to ensure the nation’s transport networks work for all our futures and delivers environmentally, economically, and socially.
Join other savvy professionals just like you at CIHT. We are committed to fulfilling your professional development needs throughout your career
{{item.AuthorName}} {{item.AuthorName}} says on {{item.DateFormattedString}}: