Consultation outcome

Transforming the Highways Agency into a government-owned company

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Roads reform: final stage impact assessment

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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.


Original consultation

Summary

Proposals for turning the Highways Agency into a government-owned company.

This consultation ran from
to

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.

Documents

Transforming the Highways Agency into a government-owned company

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Roads reform impact assessment for consultation

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email webmasterdft@dft.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Updates to this page

Published 29 October 2013
Last updated 6 June 2014 + show all updates
  1. Final stage impact assessment impact assessment added.

  2. Added consultation response.

  3. First published.

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