England's strategic and local road networks are our most highly valued infrastructure asset, at around £344 billion. The two networks comprise over 187,000 miles of roads. They include more than 61,000 bridges, drainage systems, and numerous other features - such as embankments and retaining walls. This infrastructure supports 90 per cent of passenger traffic and 68 per cent of freight movements. Maintaining it so that it is safe, serviceable and reliable, is vital for the economy and the social well-being of communities. In response to the Spending Review 2010, the Department proposed to cut road maintenance budgets by £1.2 billion. The Department for Communities and Local Government planned to reduce its grant to local authorities by 28 per cent in real terms over the five-year period. In 2012, the Committee of Public Accounts report, Reducing costs in the Department for Transport, concluded that the Department did not have a full understanding of budget reductions, and that these reductions risked higher long-term costs.
This inquiry examines whether the Department for Transport has reduced its budgets as planned; how they have done so; and the consequences for the networks. It also considers whether the Highways Agency and local authorities have the right structures and information to achieve long term value for money.
Relevant information