In March the government announced the ‘go-live’ of Highways England, a new arms-length company that took over the running of motorways and major trunk roads from the Highways Agency on 1 April, 2015.

The new company will have new longer-term funding, which will mean it can plan ahead and invest in skills and equipment to speed up essential work and drive down costs to the taxpayer.  The move is part of a radical package of road reform that is expected to save the taxpayer at least £2.6 billion over the next 10 years.

Transport Minister John Hayes said: “This marks a significant way forward in how our strategic road network is delivered and managed.  These reforms will mean the biggest, boldest and most far-reaching roads upgrade for decades. Ensuring we have well maintained roads and motorways is essential to a modern transport system that will boost our economy, create jobs and give more choice about where we live and work whilst delivering billions in savings.”