Setting the context

The Well managed Highway Infrastructure Code of Practice has been a cornerstone of highway asset management across the UK since its publication in 2016, with a limited update in 2017. In the years since, the sector has evolved significantly in terms of policy, funding pressures, ageing infrastructure and public expectation.

There has been a growing recognition that the Code, while still fundamentally sound, needed to be refreshed to remain relevant and useful to practitioners.

That work has been underway since summer 2025 and continues through 2026. The review is being led by the Department for Transport, supported by AtkinsRéalis, with oversight from a steering group representing UKRLG boards, the devolved administrations and key national stakeholders. Practitioner working groups have played a central role throughout, ensuring the updated Code reflects current practice as well as policy direction.

A review not a rewrite

This is not a wholesale rewrite of the Code. It is a structured review and update.

The risk-based approach introduced in June 2016 remains central and has been retained. It continues to provide the right balance between consistency and local flexibility across diverse highway networks. The engagement to date has included strong input from the risk, legal and insurance community, alongside practitioners, helping to ensure the approach remains robust and defensible.

The focus of the review has been on refining and strengthening the existing content, improving clarity, and ensuring the Code reflects how the sector operates today.

Consultation - get involved!

We are pleased to share a draft version of the updated Code for the UK highways sector to provide comment here, plus a link to the consultation, here: UKRLG – UK Roads Leadership Group

This consultation provides an opportunity for practitioners to review the draft and provide feedback from an individual perspective. The intention is to ensure that the final document is clear, practical and grounded in real world application.

We welcome feedback from around the sector and across the supply chain, and encourage you to take the time to review the new Code and share your thoughts using the link above.

The consultation runs until Sunday 7^th June.

Beyond publication

The review of the Code is best seen as the first phase of a wider programme.
Alongside the consultation, a new Part E covering tunnels is being developed by a dedicated specialist working group. This work is progressing in parallel and will be incorporated into the final version of the Code.

Following consultation, the document will be finalised and published in autumn 2026. This will be supported by a series of face-to-face workshops across the UK to help practitioners understand and apply the updated guidance.

The format of the Code is also evolving. It will be supported by a digital platform, improving accessibility and navigation. Alongside this, a series of quick guides is being developed to communicate key messages in a concise and accessible way for a wider audience, including elected members and non-technical stakeholders.

There is recognition that related guidance documents across the sector will benefit from review and update.

This includes areas such as existing asset management guidance, where there is a clear appetite for refresh.

These will be considered as part of a second phase, with priorities shaped by sector need and available funding.

There is also an intention to move towards a more progressive approach to maintaining the Code itself, allowing specific elements to be updated over time.

As part of the broader UKRLG commitment to knowledge sharing and supporting practitioners, examples of good practice, case studies, tools and templates, will be made available through the new UKRLG website.

UKRLG endorsement

Representatives from UKRLG serving on the Steering Group for this project said:

“The updated Code builds on a strong and widely adopted foundation. It retains the core principles that have supported the sector over the past decade, while improving clarity, strengthening key areas and making the guidance more accessible.

The consultation now provides an opportunity for practitioners to help shape the final version before publication later this year. We invite you to take some time to read the draft and provide your feedback. The long-term value of the Code will depend on continued engagement from across the sector and its application in practice.”