Update On National Policy For Roads

We are in the midst of an interesting period as far as roads policy is concerned, reports Tom Henderson.

In late November 2011 Infrastructure UK published its second National Infrastructure Plan (NIP 2011). NIP 2011 recognises the importance of good infrastructure in stimulating economic growth, and prioritises investment in 40 areas. For the roads sector, these comprise:

• Highways Agency - the pre-2010 Spending Review programme in construction, the 2010 Spending Review programmes for trunk road improvements and managed motorways and the 2011 Autumn Statement package (25 schemes in total);
• New Lower Thames crossing;
• Mersey Gateway Bridge;
• Local transport projects funded at or before the 2010 Spending Review (includes the Heysham to M6 link road);