May 2026
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This conference considered next steps for roads strategy, funding, and infrastructure in England.
It brought stakeholders and policymakers together to examine the third Road Investment Strategy published in March 2026 and implementation of the £27bn funding package for England’s motorways and major A-roads. Delegates assessed practicalities for its implementation alongside implications for infrastructure objectives, finance, and delivery going forward. The discussion also followed measures announced in the 2025 Autumn Budget, including £7.3bn for local road maintenance.
RIS3: investment & implementation
Sessions looked at strategic and practical issues related to shifting to a stronger emphasis on maintenance, renewal and resilience of existing road networks. Areas for discussion included risk-based approaches to renewal planning, alongside priorities for tackling disruption and unplanned closures - and questions around how asset performance is monitored and reported across different parts of the network.
Priorities for local road maintenance and investment were assessed amid concerns about backlogs, costs and condition - particularly with Asphalt Industry Alliance research suggesting that maintaining potholes on local roads in England and Wales would cost £18.6bn - looking as well at potential options for addressing regional disparities in asset condition. Delegates discussed the shift to preventative maintenance and promoting wider adoption of effective practice, including the recently introduced red, amber and green ratings for local highway authorities, with funding for red-rated councils to improve performance, as well as the recent announcement of reporting requirements for councils to prove they are addressing potholes and spending on road maintenance, or risk losing up to a third of their £1.6bn funding for the next year. Possible outcomes of the recently announced Structures Fund, intended to support councils in repairing bridges, flyovers and tunnels were also considered.
We also expected discussion on the further 16 road schemes on the major road network and local roads green lit in RIS3. Delegates considered implications of this strategic shift for delivery capacity, including in relation to planning capability, workforce skills, and supply chain resilience. Funding arrangements were assessed, looking at the potential of clearer multi-year settlements and a more predictable pipeline of work to support the confidence of delivery bodies and suppliers in investing in equipment, materials supply, workforce development, and improved maintenance techniques. Mechanisms for financial oversight and assurance were also examined in the context of inflationary pressures and rising project delivery costs.
Technology, sustainability & climate adaptation
Attendees assessed priorities for technology, data and innovation in road management, including options for taking forward digital road networks and predictive maintenance, and assessing systems needed to support joined-up asset management and more consistent decision-making.
Sessions looked at the way forward for supporting the sustainability and decarbonisation of construction, alongside mitigating environmental impacts, in the context of ongoing reform to the National Planning Policy Framework and measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.
Further discussion examined expectations for climate risk management and disruption planning, as set out in the Department for Transport’s recently published Climate adaptation strategy for transport. Attendees considered what effective climate adaptation looks like on the ground - including priorities for drainage, structures and surface treatments and operational readiness - alongside the respective roles of national and local delivery bodies, and expectations for funding streams to embed climate adaptation measures.
Investment planning, strategic policy alignment & net zero
Further sessions examined practical approaches to aligning investment in the strategic and local road networks with user needs and wider policy aims, including addressing regional disparities, supporting technological innovation and contributing to net zero objectives. Discussion considered how national investment priorities relate to regional transport and place-making agendas, alongside implications of RIS3’s focus on asset renewal rather than capacity enhancement for freight and associated economic activity.
Delegates examined implications of electric vehicle uptake for charging infrastructure on the strategic road network and local roads, including questions of accessibility, equity between places and the needs of different road users. Discussion also considered the interaction between environmental objectives and maintaining journey reliability for passengers and freight, alongside approaches to road design that supports sustainability, public transport and active travel, while addressing safety and reliability for vulnerable users.
As well as key stakeholders those attending included officials from the Department for Transport; Office of Rail and Road; Government Legal Department; and National Wealth Fund.
