Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government which minister Highways England is accountable to; what mechanisms are in place to scrutinise that organisation’s performance; how that performance is judged; when that organisation’s performance in the south west of England was last evaluated; and what plans they have, if any, to review that organisation’s licence.

Highways England is accountable to the Secretary of State for Transport. The Secretary of State’s requirements of Highways England are set out in Road Investment Strategies which sets the Department’s long-term vision for the strategic road network. The Department has just announced the second Road Investment Strategy which will run from 2020 to 2025. The Road Investment Strategy includes a set of Key Performance Indicators against which Highways England is measured. Subsequently, Highways England will publish its Delivery Plan to set out in detail how the Road Investment Strategy will be delivered on the ground.

The Office for Road and Rail act as Highways Monitor to ensure that Highways England delivers its major programme of investment and other performance commitments. The Office for Road and Rail publishes an Annual Report on Highways England's performance and delivery of its investment plan after each financial year. Highways England’s record is measured as a result of its performance nationally. This regular reporting covers all regions of England.

Performance meetings with Highways England are conducted on at least a monthly basis by both Department officials and Transport Ministers in addition to day by day informal contacts.