Local roads represent the UK’s most extensive, heavily used, and under maintained infrastructure asset, making up 99% of the total road network and carrying 66% of all motor traffic vehicle miles in England.

Despite their critical importance to individuals, communities, and businesses—and a notional asset value exceeding £400 billion local roads remain subject to short-term, fragmented funding from different sources and funding pots. This funding approach has significantly hindered effective asset management and contributed to a growing maintenance backlog.

CIHT urges the government to act now and harness the potential from improved longer-term planning through longer-term funding certainty.  This will deliver extra value for taxpayers and directly support the delivery of the government’s missions, particularly economic growth.

The potential efficiencies produced by implementing five-year funding settlements can additionally contribute to advancing a range of broader governmental policy objectives—including progress toward Net Zero, greater climate resilience, workforce development, increased social value, and accelerated technological innovation.

To access the report click here.

What you can find in the report

• The case for long term investment in local highways
• Examples of the efficiencies achievable with long-term funding
• How a five-year funding settlement helps achieve efficiencies
• How a five-year funding settlement supports other policy goals and delivers more value for communities
• What is required to enable local authorities to maximise the benefits of long-term funding
• Case studies that consistently demonstrate that longer-term investment planning enables measurable efficiency gains and wider positive outcomes

To access the report click here.