The consultation ‘Shaping the future of England’s strategic roads’ invited responses to a report detailing the current state of the network, its potential future needs and proposed priorities for RIS2.

 

It marks the final part of the Government’s research phase for the development of the new strategy – which will run from 2020-2025 – before it moves into the ‘decision’ phase later this year.

 

In response to the consultation, CIHT said it would like to see Highways England work with the Department for Transport and the Office of Rail & Road to more fully embrace the use of ‘TOTEX’ – total expenditure – to underpin RIS 2.

 

This, it added, would help to ensure that expenditure is considered in an holistic way, rather than as separate operational (OPEX) and capital (CAPEX) expenditure approaches.

 

CIHT also emphasised the need for all users of the strategic road network – drivers, users of public transport, cyclists and pedestrians, and those living close to the network – to have their requirements understood and any issues addressed.

 

The Institution also said there is a need for Highways England to ensure that investment in its network is used to help to shape the future and not just respond to it, while recognising that significant uncertainty exists.

 

The recommendations come after CIHT convened a roundtable with a broad representation of its membership, corporate partners, Board and Panel members and key industry bodies.

 

CIHT director of policy and technical affairs Andrew Hugill welcomed the progress that has been made by Highways England and the greater certainty and continuity of funding provided through the Road Investment Strategy. “We welcome the opportunities that Highways England has to respond to challenges ahead,” he added.

 

Also responding to the current consultation – which closes this evening – RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said: “It’s a case of so far so good for a three year old Highways England and the network it operates.

 

“Looking ahead, as Highways England recognises, the focus needs to be on what customers want from the network, recognition that for users journeys don’t start and stop at junctions on the major arteries, and as much effort going into stewardship of the existing network as goes on headline grabbing enhancement projects.”

 

Meanwhile the Campaign for Better Transport’s sustainable transport campaigner Bridget Fox welcomed the report’s proposal to make network maintenance a top priority alongside small and medium road safety schemes and the on going ‘green retrofit’ of the network.

 

But, she warned: “The plans to build big new expressways and convert A roads to motorways are not the answer to the challenge of connecting our towns and cities.”

 

The consultation closes tonight at 11.45pm. To have your say click here, or to learn more about RIS2 listen to a CIHT podcast on the topic available here.