Creation of a ‘Major Road Network’ of strategic routes including motorways and major local A roads will be taken forward by Government, which today publishes details of a new transport investment strategy.
Local authorities will have access to a share of a multi billion pound National Road Fund, funded by Vehicle Excise Duty receipts, to improve or replace the most important A roads under their management. The fund had originally been proposed for national routes only.
The Major Road Network is the brainchild of highway specialists David Quarmby and Phil Carey, who published a study last year which highlighted the disparity between the funding and planning of motorways and local authority A roads.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “The Transport Investment Strategy sets out a blueprint for how we can harness the power of transport investment to drive economic growth, unlock new housing projects and support the Government’s modern industrial strategy.”
The Investment Strategy also plans for a new ‘rebalancing’ measure, which will judge how investment programmes contribute to a more balanced economy. Schemes that promise to increase productivity and growth, support new housing, improve reliability and tackle congestion will be prioritised, with smaller schemes being fast tracked where needed. Attracting more private finance for schemes is also mentioned by the strategy.
David Quarmby, co-author of the Major Road Network for England study last autumn, said: “We are delighted to see the Government has now adopted our concept of the Major Road Network. This embraces the more important local authority A roads which support England’s regional economies.
“As we proposed, local authorities will have access to resources for the MRN’s improvement and development from the forthcoming National Road Fund, alongside the planning and funding of the Strategic Road Network of motorways and trunks roads. Adopting and promoting the MRN in this way will help the Government’s road investment plans reach and benefit communities right across England.”
CIHT’s director of policy and technical affairs Andrew Hugill said: “CIHT has consistently been calling for a national transport strategy and it is good to see that a number of our recommendations are being taken forward.This new strategy highlights the importance of transport and provides improved certainty and clarity on the future of our transport infrastructure. We will be reviewing the content in more detail and provide more analysis in due course.”
RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding welcomed the new focus on creating a Major Road Network. “Drivers have long felt that too many of the billions they pay in motoring taxes each year get siphoned away to other deserving causes. This announcement is a big step on the way to winning back their trust.”
He added: “It’s good to see Chris Grayling endorse the MRN concept and hold out the prospect of access to the Roads Fund. But it will be vital to ensure that this is not done in a way that undermines the funding certainty that is so much a cornerstone of Highways England and the Road Investment Strategy.”
ADEPT president Simon Neilson said: “We welcome the Government’s transport investment strategy and its commitment to create a better transport network, with the recognition of the role that our roads play in successful communities, businesses and increasing productivity. We agree with Government that devolved decision making is crucial in creating local road networks that work for our areas, particularly those out of London.”
Campaign for Better Transport chief executive Stephen Joseph welcomed having a strategy for transport investment and said some of the Government's principles about funding small scale projects are good. But he added: “In practice this strategy shows no sign of dealing with the reality of everyday transport.
“There is nothing in there about cuts to bus services or crumbling local roads, or the long term underfunding of local transport in general. The strategy also seems to ignore the role of rail in helping tackle congestion and improve connectivity, and downplays the urgent need to tackle air pollution.”
(Photo: Alastair Lloyd)
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