‘Highways England’ is to be the new name for the Government owned company set to replace the Highways Agency next April, the Roads Minister John Hayes told Parliament on Monday.

Central to the Agency’s reform is a five year business plan from 2015, which was published yesterday. Specific commitments in the plan include creating over 640km of extra highway capacity by establishing a Smart Motorway ‘spine’ through the centre of England from the M25 past Birmingham and on to Manchester.

Creating a new standard of major A roads known as ‘Expressways’ has been confirmed, featuring modernised junctions, upgraded refuge areas and new technology to aid the movement of traffic and improve safety. Detail of which roads will be designated as Expressways will be announced in March.

The plan promises a substantial programme of resurfacing and noise reduction improvements at 1150 locations. It also says that a National Cycling Strategy will be published by the end of 2015.

In terms of safety, Highways England will work towards an ambitious vision that no one is harmed on the strategic road network. In the meantime it will aim to clear 85% of motorway incidents within one hour.

“Highways England will have the same status as Network Rail and the strategic business plan sets out how it will deliver investment on the strategic road network,” said Highways Agency chief executive Graham Dalton.

“This is about the strategic roads sector stepping up its game.”

(Photo: Highways Agency)