CIHT welcomes the publication of the UK Government's draft Third Investment Road Strategy

28th Aug 2025

The UK Government publishes its draft ambitions for the Third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3)

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CIHT welcomes the publication of the Draft Third Investment Road Strategy (RIS3) from the Department for Transport. 

CIHT welcomes the emphasis on commitment to a multi-year funding, greater focus than ever before on the maintenance and renewal of the network, the continued use of road safety targets on the SRN, supporting a fully integrated national transport network, and playing a key role to play in supporting the UK Government’s housing goals.

The RIS3 sets out government’s priorities for the strategic road network in England from 2026 to 2031.  

It sets out a high-level vision for the network and its role in:   

  • funding for operating, maintaining and enhancing the road network 
  • providing the main areas for the transportation of goods  
  • describing the priority areas where investment will focus   

The draft RIS3 will also measure performance outcome areas for National Highways, which are responsible for the strategic road network (SRN). 

The Draft Third Investment Road Strategy is available to read here

The final Third Road Investment Strategy is due for publication March 2026.

CIHT's analysis of the draft RIS3 can be found below: 

Funding and capacity

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) must undertake an efficiency review National Highways’ draft Strategic Business Plan, to confirm the proposals in the Plan are challenging and deliverable. 

CIHT welcomes the continuous commitment to a multi-year funding settlement for the Strategic Road Network but asks National Highways to ensure it will have the internal financial and management capacity to deliver the expected levels of activity. 

Maintenance and renewal

RIS3 reflects this changing landscape. It has a greater focus than ever before on the maintenance and renewal of the network, reflecting both the feedback from responses to the consultation and the importance placed on this in the Government’s Infrastructure Strategy. 4 It responds to the state of the infrastructure that we inherited, the fiscal constraints we are working under and capacity in the supply chain. It is designed as an adaptive, forward-looking strategy - one that evolves in response to shifting national priorities, economic realities, and user needs. 

CIHT supports National Highways emphasis for the RIS3 period on making the most out of the existing network through maintenance and renewals and a focus on smaller, targeted local schemes.   

Decarbonisation

The publication mentions decarbonising in general, with no specific actions or targets.  

CIHT encourages National Highways to consistently apply the PAS 2080 hierarchy to all decision-making processes for all schemes already committed to or under evaluation, to ensure that low carbon solutions to enhance capacity are prioritised. 

Road Safety

CIHT welcomes the continued use of road safety targets on the SRN, including the ambitious target of zero harm by 2050. Long-term and interim road safety targets are vital to ensuring the continued reduction of death and serious injury. 

CIHT supports the proposals to maintain a focus on improving the wellbeing of communities located near the SRN. Safety reaches beyond interactions with vehicles to include people’s sense of vulnerability, which affects their travel choices and wellbeing. We welcome the references to addressing environmental and safety concerns such as litter and poor lighting.  

Integrated National Transport Network 

The strategy outlines proposed plans to optimise the SRN to support a fully integrated national transport network by working with partners to ensure better connectivity between the SRN and local routes and enable seamless multi-modal travel.

Cross-boundary collaboration is an important part of strategic planning. We encourage National Highways and local authorities to work together in areas where the SRN and LHN interact. 

Delivering the UK Government's Plan for Change 1.5 million homes mission

CIHT welcomes reference to the RIS playing a key role to play in supporting the UK Government’s housing goals.

CIHT would like to see National Highways work with partnership organisations to ensure the delivery of the NPPF ambition of promoting sustainable transport.   

 

CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with the Department for Transport, National Highways, and the highways and transportation sector to deliver the ambitions of the Third Road Investment Strategy.

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