Little scope for new schemes in RIS 3, DfT says

03/02/2023 | CHRIS AMES

The Department for Transport’s (DfT) permanent secretary has warned of ‘very limited’ headroom for new enhancement projects in the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS 3) due to the cost of projects carried forward from the current roads period.

It follows a call for a rethink of RIS 3 in November from the National Audit Office, which warned that current plans risk splurging taxpayers’ cash on low value, high-risk mega projects such as the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing and the £2.4bn A303 Stonehenge scheme.

The NAO said that in RIS 2 ‘less work has been delivered than planned and at a higher cost’.

At a hearing of the Transport Select Committee on Wednesday, Ben Bradshaw MP asked DfT permanent secretary Dame Bernadette Kelly (pictured), whether there was any point in starting to draw up a list of proposals for RIS 3, ‘if we’re so for behind on [RIS] 1 and 2’.

She replied: 'Obviously there are already a number of projects in what we call the RIS3 pipeline, these are very early development projects; it is true that the headroom for new projects in RIS3 will be very limited.’

Dame Bernadette was appearing with National Highways chief executive Nick Harris, and the DfT’s director general for roads, places and environment group, Emma Ward, as part of an inquiry into strategic roads investment in England.

Ms Ward added: ‘The makeup of RIS3 may well look a bit different. It is likely that the headroom for enhancements projects is likely to be less.

'We also have an ageing network, so the importance of renewals and maintenance actually increases over time. So I would expect the balance of RIS3 to look somewhat different to RIS2 and the [forthcoming] consultation will begin to set that out.’

Mr Harris said as early as 2021 that under RIS 3 maintenance and renewal would ‘feature very strongly’ and that ‘we only going to be able to build roads where they are absolutely essential’.

He told the committee: 'What is really, really important – certainly from my point of view – is we’re looking after an ageing set of infrastructure; more than 70% of our assets as we get to the beginning of RIS3 are going to be more than 45 years old.’

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Greenspace and Environment Enforcement Officer

£25,584 - £30,060
You will work as part of a team undertaking environmental enforcement activities which focus on improving the street environment Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Electrical Design Engineer

Grade 9 £35,412 to £39,152 - Grade 10 £38,220 to £41,771 - Grade 11 £40,777 to £45,091 - Grade 12 £44,075 to £48,226 p.a.
The Construction Consultancy Services (CCS) team provide client-side construction consultancy services across a range of professional disciplines to d Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Street Lighting Electrician CDC

Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2311e

£26,403 - £26,824
This is a predominantly office-based role with some site visits required. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Lawyer Planning and Highways - WMF2312e

£56,883 - £59,198
To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience as a Planning and Highways Lawyer Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Street Cleansing Operative

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council's Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Civil Engineering Technician (HDM)

Grade 4 - Grade 6
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through Highways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management operative course Staffordshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729 (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Rothersthorpe, Northampton
Recruiter: Amey

Head of Design Services

£77,536 - £83,366
You will lead the delivery of a high-performing Technical Services Partnership (TSP). Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Ecclesfield, Sheffield
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship. Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Knottingley, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Civil Enforcement Officers x 2

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
Parking Services are looking to recruit 2 full time Civil Enforcement Officers to complement its existing workforce. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Senior Street Cleanse Technician x 3 (CDC)

Grade 6 £25,981 - £26,815
We are about to embark on an ambitious programme of change in our city. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Development Officer

£37,280 - £40,777
This is an exciting time for a talented, self-driven professional to join us in the role of Highways Development Management Co-ordinator. Gloucester
Recruiter: Gloucestershire County Council

Principal Highways Development Officer

£48,226 - £51,35
This is an exciting time for a talented, self-driven professional to join us in the role of Highways Principal Development Management Co-ordinator . Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Recruiter: Gloucestershire County Council

Principal Engineer - Highways Development Management

£47,181.00 - £50,269.00, Grade 11, 37 hours, Permanent
We are seeking a dedicated Principal Highways Development Management Engineer to join our team. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Development Management Engineer

£32,061.00 - £46,142.00, Career Grade 7-10, 37 hours, Permanent
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through HIghways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield 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