Harper wields hammer blow: SRN, active travel and HS2 all take the hit

09/03/2023 | CHRIS AMES

In a pre-Budget announcement, the transport secretary unveiled huge cuts and delays to transport schemes, including stalling the Lower Thames Crossing by two years.

Less than a week before the Budget on 15 March, Mark Harper announced that several National Highways schemes would be delayed with a knock-on effect across, forthcoming five-year spending strategies.

Projects on the strategic road network due to start work in the second (2020-25) road investment strategy (RIS), will now begin in the third RIS (2025-30), with RIS 3 schemes likely to be kicked back into RIS 4.

The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC), which had been expected to start in 2024, will be delayed by two years. The A27 Arundel and Port of Liverpool schemes will also be deferred until RIS 3.

Mr Harper said that while ministers ‘remain committed’ to the LTC, ‘the Development Consent Order process will be an important opportunity to consult further to ensure there is an effective and deliverable plan’.

The LTC is costed at up to £9bn and involves building a tunnel under the Thames to link Kent and Essex, along with associated roads.

Its application for development consent was resubmitted late last year, two years after National Highways had to withdraw an earlier application following advice from the Planning Inspectorate that it would reject it.

Mr Harper added: 'Other schemes earmarked for RIS 3 will continue to be developed, in line with the statutory process, but for consideration for inclusion during RIS 4 (beyond 2030). Given many of these schemes were previously expected towards the end of RIS 3, this extra time will help ensure better planned and efficient schemes can be deployed more effectively.’

Active travel

He added that ministers were still committed to spending at least a further £100m capital into active travel over the remainder of the spending period to 2025, 'as part of a total of around £3bn investment in active travel over this Parliament'.

In July of last year, the Government announced it was due to spend around £3.8bn from just April 2021 to March 2025 on active travel, under its second cycling and walking investment strategy.

HS2 

Mr Harper also revealed that while the Government is prioritising HS2’s initial services between Old Oak Common in London and Birmingham Curzon Street it has to 'address affordability pressures to ensure the overall spending profile is manageable’.

He said ministers ‘will therefore take the time to ensure we have an affordable and deliverable station design, delivering Euston alongside high-speed infrastructure to Manchester’, implying that the London terminus will be delayed.

Mr Harper stated however that the Government remains ‘committed’ to delivering HS2 services to Euston.

He added that, while the Government is 'committed' to delivering HS2 Phase 2a between Birmingham and Crewe, construction will be 'rephased' by two years.

In January, chancellor Jeremy Hunt he did not ‘see any conceivable circumstances in which that would not end up at Euston’.

Louise Haigh MP, Labour’s shadow transport secretary, responding to further delays to HS2, said: 'The North is yet again being asked to pay the price for staggering Conservative failure. Conservative chaos and chronic indecision is holding back jobs, growth and costing the taxpayer.'

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Carbon and Net Zero Manager

£47,754 - £50,788
To lead and manage the carbon strategy for the Agent by developing a programme South Wales
Recruiter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Highway Asset Maintenance Assistant Engineer (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (Pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Engineer, Highways Asset Maintenance CDC

Grade 9, £38,653 - £42,728 (Pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council is a confident, ambitious organisation which puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Street Cleansing Team Leader

£31,067.00 - £33,366.00, Grade 7, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Team Leader Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Street Cleansing Driver / Operative (Pavement Sweeper)

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
The post holder will be part of a Street Scene Team to deliver a high quality citizen focused Street Scene service Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Traffic Engineering Officer

£36,124 to £37,938 per annum
An exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and passionate Traffic Engineering Officer Rutland
Recruiter: Rutland County Council

Highways Engineer

£36,124 to £37,938 per annum
An exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and passionate Highways Engineer Rutland
Recruiter: Rutland County Council

Civil Enforcement Officers

£25,183- £26,409 plus weekend allowance
We’re looking for Civil Enforcement officers to join our parking services team. North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Asset Development Manager

£44,111 per annum (pay award pending)
Do you want to work for an organisation that values you as an individual? West Yorkshire
Recruiter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Career Grade Transport Planner (Carer Grade 6-8)

Grade 06 (£29,093 - £32,654) TO Grade 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a forward thinking and dynamic transport authority located in the heart of the North West Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Principal Transport Planner

GRADE 10 (£47,754 - £50,787)
This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a forward thinking and dynamic transport authority located in the heart of the North West. Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Senior Technician - Highways Inspections

Grade 10 £34,324 - £37,529 per annum
This is an exciting time to join one of the country’s leading public sector in-house Highways Services Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Senior Technician - Asset Management

Grade 10 £34,324 - £37,529 per annum
The position provides an exciting opportunity to develop how all highway assets are managed in the future Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Road and Street Works Co-ordinator Engineer

Grade 11 £39,513 to £43,693 per annum
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Highway Network Management Section as a Road & Street Works Co-ordinator Engineer.   The efficient co-ordi Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Group Manager for Highway Contracts and Service Development

£59,537 progressing to £66,642
This role’s purpose is to manage the suite of highway contracts and continue to develop and improve the Highways Service in all senses Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council

Senior Development Management Engineer

£37,938 - £44,711
This is an excellent opportunity to join a team of Highway Development Officers delivering high-quality development across Coventry. coventry
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Assistant Street Cleansing Operative

£24,790 - £25,183, Grade 4, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for an Assistant Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Traffic Signals and Signing Engineer

£30,559 - £41,511 per annum
We are looking for a Traffic Signals and Signing Engineer to join the Traffic Engineering team in the Network Strategy Group North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Engagement Officer - WMF1977e

£33,366 - £34,314
The role will provide specialist support within the Highways service Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.0000 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW