10 Years of Better Road Travel
As most would guess, road travel is the most dominant form of transport in the UK. However, data from the Department for Transport reveals the sheer scale of its importance, showing that 9 out of every 10 kilometers traveled in Great Britain is by road. The strategic road network (SRN), which includes motorways and major A-roads, is particularly vital.
Analysis from Cambridge Econometrics found that sectors relying on the SRN support 7.6 million jobs and contribute an estimated GBP410 billion in Gross Value Added to the economy each year. Given how much is at stake, the way the SRN is managed affects everyone. While many motorists may be unaware, the management of the strategic road network underwent a massive transformation ten years ago.
A new system was put in place to ensure better accountability and long-term planning, with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) leading the way. In 2015, the Infrastructure Act changed everything by ushering in a new era for the roads:
- A new company: The Act created a Strategic Highways Company (now known as National Highways) to manage, operate, and improve the SRN.
- Long-term strategy: The government began setting multi-year Road Investment Strategies (RIS), which provided greater certainty for the industry and a consistent timeline for planned projects.
- User advocacy: Transport Focus was appointed as a watchdog to champion the needs of road users.
- A new monitor: The ORR was given regulatory powers to hold National Highways accountable for its performance.
This new structure allows for longer funding cycles, which means National Highways can plan for the long term, moving away from short-term fixes and focusing on significant, multi-year projects. This is crucial for a network that saw a construction boom in the 1970s and is now in need of major overhauls.
Over the last decade, the ORR has worked to ensure that road users, communities, and taxpayers all benefit from this new approach. Its efforts include:
- Holding National Highways accountable for over GBP3.2 billion in efficiency savings.
- Pushing for improvements in safety plans, which has led to a 39% reduction in the number of people harmed on the network compared to the 2005-2009 average.
- Challenging the company to improve its plans for biodiversity, resulting in a net gain after a previously forecasted decrease.
- Providing independent advice to the government on funding settlements, ensuring that the goals set for National Highways are both challenging and achievable.
This hands-on approach has led to tangible results, and the ORR does not hesitate to take further action when needed. In 2024, an investigation into National Highways' performance resulted in a comprehensive improvement plan, leading to better outcomes for road users.
The ORR's role continues to evolve as it looks toward the future. The organization is already advising the Department for Transport on the next road period, ensuring government priorities are both deliverable and consistent with available funds. The ORR is also committed to increasing transparency for the public by publishing data on National Highways' performance through dashboards on its website.
The ORR will continue to "target its activities only at cases where it is needed," supporting the government's drive for economic growth while ensuring the strategic road network remains resilient, reliable, and well-maintained for generations to come.