Dalton welcomes Highways Agency move

Highways Agency chief executive Graham Dalton has welcomed the move to transform the organisation into a publicly owned corporation.

He says the announcement, which was made alongside the Government’s spending plans, provides certainty over the Highways Agency’s future.

Addressing the House of Commons last Thursday (27 June), chief secretary to the treasurer Danny Alexander, said: “It will be an organisation that will have the long term funding certainty and flexibility to deliver the best possible road network for the UK’s motorists.”

Highways Agency chief executive Graham Dalton (pictured) said: "This announcement is good news for the millions of drivers and businesses that use the strategic road network every day, and reflects the Government's confidence in the Highways Agency's ability to deliver.

"Clarity of the funding for roads capital spending for 2015-16 and the following five years gives us greater certainty and allows us to plan our future operations  with assurance.

"We now have a clear picture of the Government's intention for the Highways Agency, and certainty over the capital resource that will be available to help us manage, operate and improve the strategic road network to the Government's performance specification. This includes a step up in capital spending over the period, as well as clarity on the requirement for further efficiencies."

To read more on the Government’s Spending Review and what it means for the highways industry see the July issue of Highways Magazine.