PRESS RELEASE

The government’s £27bn, five year roads plan (RIS3) has been published today [1]. Headlines include: 

• An increase in renewals funding, although it is still less than a third of the overall budget [2]
• A target to reduce people killed and seriously injured by 7.5% by 2031 [3]. Zero harm on the network would not be achieved until after 2090 at this rate (previously it was meant to be 2040 [4])
• The Lower Thames Crossing ‘smart’ motorway is still in RIS3. Shows that the public is still paying for this white elephant and exposes the lie that the government is not building any more ‘smart’ motorways [5]
• It includes controversial road projects such as A38 Derby Junctions where costs have shot up by over 200% [6]

While Transport Action Network (TAN) [7] welcomes the increased budgets and emphasis on maintenance and renewing the ageing road network, it is concerned that RIS3 is based on outdated traffic forecasts. This has led to the inclusion of a number of poor value road schemes, such as the A38 Derby Junctions and A66 Northern Trans Pennine, that are more likely to increase congestion than solve it.

TAN also supports the inclusion of new National Programmes for safety and the environment, but questioned why the funding levels had been withheld, especially when they were announced for renewals and enhancements. TAN is also concerned that the new Growth and Housing Accelerator Fund will simply lead to more car-dependent housing with current national planning policies [8]. 

Reacting to the RIS3, Chris Todd, TAN’s Director, said:

“While the increase in renewal funding is welcome, it is still less than a third of the overall budget. Unfortunately RIS3 is based on outdated traffic forecasts no longer relevant in today’s volatile and unpredictable world. That has resulted in the inclusion of damaging road schemes such as the A38 Derby Junctions. In the 21st century we really should be doing something better than building bigger roads in urban areas.

“The target for safety is also woefully unambitious. Previously, National Highways had an ambition of reaching zero harm on its network by 2040. At this rate of improvement this won’t be achieved until after 2090, some 50 years later.”

– ENDS –

Notes to editors:

[1] The third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) has been published today. It sets out the government’s priorities for the Strategic Road Network for the five year period between 2026-31 and the funding available. It includes a list of new road projects the DfT wants National Highways to build, and a pipeline of new road schemes for National Highways to develop for the next road period, RIS4 (2031-36). 

[2] The total available for renewals is £8.4bn, compared to an overall budget for RIS3 of £27bn (see page 2, Road Investment Strategy)

[3] “In the third road period, National Highways must demonstrate it has done all it reasonably can to achieve a 7.5% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) on the SRN by the end of 2031, based on the 2022-24 baseline.” (page 6, Road Investment Strategy)

[4] Highways Magazine article on National Highways’ 2040 target, 23 October, 2023

[5] “The Government will not build any new smart motorways and expects National Highways to continue to increase public confidence on existing smart motorways.” (page 18, Road Investment Strategy). The LTC is 3-lanes with no hard shoulder, so is a ‘smart’ motorway in all but name. 

[6] Office of Rail and Road (ORR) Annual Assessment of National Highways’ performance: end of the second road period April 2020 to March 2025, Figure 5.10 showed an increase of £417m for the cost of the A38 Derby Junctions project

[7] TAN was set up in 2019 by director, Chris Todd, to help communities press for better (more sustainable) transport. It supports more investment in bus and rail services and active travel. To enable this and better road maintenance (fewer potholes) it opposes damaging road building. It also supports better integration between transport and planning.
[8] See TAN’s response to the consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework, March 2026