RIS 3 delayed until Spending Review deadline

17/10/2024 | DOMINIC BROWNE

RIS 3 delayed until Spending Review deadline

The Government's future of roads minister, Lilian Greenwood, has revealed that the next Road Investment Strategy (2025-2030) for National Highways will not be confirmed until the Spending Review next year.

Under the original timetable, the strategy should have been in place by now to allow National Highways to enter its mobilisation phase and start preparatory works.

The current strategy will expire on 31 March 2025. RIS 3 will cover 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030 - meaning the new RIS may arrive only weeks before it is due to go live.

If the Spending Review takes place after March, the transport secretary Louise Haigh would have to report to Parliament to explain why the RIS was not in place.

Ms Greenwood said the strategic road network was 'an economic engine [that] needs our attention and demands a long-term plan; this government will provide it, with the third road investment strategy – a long-term settlement providing much needed stability and enabling a new long-term focus for customer satisfaction and better outcomes'.

She added: 'In order to shape that future we need to take time to ensure we have the right programme - making the right decisions for this year and future years and taking the opportunity provided by the Treasury Spending Review, which concludes in the Spring, to allow us to build a road investment strategy that will be better placed to invest and deliver for the long-term.

She concluded that the 'government believes in multi-year strategies for our roads' that give the sector the 'certainty to invest' and deliver the best outcomes for the asset, safety and economic growth.

Under the 2015 Infrastructure Act, which created National Highways (Highways England as was) and the RIS system, it states if a RIS is not 'currently in place' the transport secretary 'lay before Parliament a report explaining why a Strategy has not been set, and set a Road Investment Strategy as soon as may be reasonably practicable'.

Ms Greenwood also confirmed the Government would develop a national road safety strategy 'the first in over a decade' however she did not provide a timeline for its publication.

The national safety plan is also a long-delayed document that was expected to be published under the last government.

In 2022, former roads minister Baroness Vere speaking at Traffex said the Department for Transport's plan was in its final stages. She said she had seen a draft version and asked for some amendments to be made but had been planning to release it by the end of that year.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Transport Planner

£47,532 - £50,574
Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District Council

£30000 - £34000 per annum
Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District CouncilBraintree District CouncilPermanent, Full Time£30,313 to £34,612 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay award pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 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