Consultation outcome

Transforming the Highways Agency into a government-owned company

From:: Department for Transport and Highways Agency
Published: 29 October 2013
Last updated: 6 June 2014 — See all updates

Read the full outcome

Roads reform: final stage impact assessment

PDF, 9.24 MB, 43 pages

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Detail of outcome

Decision document

Our decision document summarises issues raised following this consultation about setting up the Highways Agency as a government-owned company responsible for operating, managing and improving the strategic road network.

Respondents showed broad support for the proposals and the publication confirms decisions to:

set up the Highways Agency as a government-owned strategic highways company
put in place an effective system of governance – giving the company flexibility to run the roads responsibly, successfully and in the public interest
establish a ‘road investment strategy’ setting out what he company must achieve over a 5 year period, with associated funding
create units within Passenger Focus and the Office of Rail Regulation to represent the interests of road users and monitor the company’s performance

Impact assessment

A final stage impact assessment has been published. We will continue to update our impact assessment as necessary during the progression of measures through Parliament as part of the Infrastructure Bill.

Government response to consultation on transforming the Highways Agency into a government-owned company, written statement, published 30 April 2014
Green light for Highways Agency reform gives better deal for taxpayers press release, published 30 April 2014
Roads reform collection page

Original consultation

Consultation description

Proposals for setting up the Highways Agency as a new government-owned company responsible for operating, managing and improving the strategic road network.

The main aims of the changes are to:

give the road operator the freedom to manage the day-to-day operation of the roads without unnecessary interference from central government, while remaining fully accountable for the state of the network
provide greater certainty and flexibility of funding, and stability over delivery requirements, to allow the operator and the supply chain to plan ahead and deliver more efficiently
improve accountability and transparency for road users and the wider public about what the road operator is delivering and how it is performing

Areas covered include proposals around:

structure of the new company
governance and accountability
external scrutiny and challenge
transfer of powers and duties

The outcome of this consultation will inform the final form of the new company and shape the legislation needed to empower the company to run the strategic road network, which we plan to bring forward in 2014.

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