Asked by: Suella Braverman (Conservative - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department plans to take to improve road (a) services and (b) networks.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department has set the budgets for the financial year 2025/26 as part of the Autumn Budget 2024. This allocated £4.842 billion as part of an interim settlement for National Highways for the operation, maintenance, renewal and enhancement of the strategic road network. Funding beyond this for a future Road Investment Strategy will be confirmed through the ongoing Spending Review which is due to complete in late Spring 2025.
The Government recognises the important role that motorway service areas and rest areas on the trunk A road network play in providing a safe place for road users to stop and take a short break from driving. It is for the private sector to promote and operate service areas that meet the needs of the travelling public.
Asked by: Suella Braverman (Conservative - Fareham and Waterlooville)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to include improvements to connecting commuter roads in villages and towns in the road investment strategy.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Road Investment Strategy is a long-term government plan that sets out what the Department for Transport expects National Highways to deliver on England’s strategic road network of motorways and major A roads in England over a five-year period. As part of National Highways Licence, the company is expected to consider how its network integrates effectively with the local road network, that is the responsibility of the relevant local highways authority, to provide a seamless experience for road users.