The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) is calling on the Government to move to a five-year long-term funding model for local highway maintenance, which could unlock 'up to £2.2bn' in efficiency savings.

CIHT submitted a representation to HM Treasury ahead of the Autumn Budget 2026 – due to be delivered by chancellor of the exchequer John Healey on 28 October – that outlines how longer-term investment in local roads could provide ‘greater certainty, improve efficiency and enable more effective investment in maintaining the network'.

A key CIHT request is a rolling five-year funding settlement for local authority highway maintenance. CIHT argues this model ‘has the potential' to provide efficiency savings of 5-10% - equivalent to between £1bn and £2.2bn over the five years – when combined with improved working practices.

Sue Percy CBE, chief executive of CIHT, said: ‘Long-term funding gives local authorities the certainty they need to plan properly, invest more effectively and deliver better value for money. 

‘This is not simply about fixing potholes. A well-maintained, resilient and accessible transport network supports economic growth, connects people with jobs and opportunities and helps create healthier communities. Ahead of the Autumn Budget, we are asking Government to take the opportunity to provide the long-term certainty that local authorities and the sector need to plan, invest and deliver effectively.'

Its submission also featured recommendations across three priority areas, where CIHT is calling for:

1. Economic growth

  • ensure new affordable housing is well connected and served by affordable and sustainable transport;
  • investment in technical skills and expertise at local level;
  • a dedicated fund to support and accelerate highways projects in areas vulnerable to extreme weather;
  • a long-term vision, funding and focus needed for the local highway network through a rolling five-year approach.

2. Supporting health, active travel and road safety

  • consistent funding for the infrastructure and services needed to support active travel,
  • greater investment in road safety,
  • a ‘strategic review' of the impact of road safety outcomes on the NHS, social care and economic productivity, and funding to support the sharing of best practices.

3. Removing barriers to opportunity

  • affordable and accessible transport to connect people with education, employment and other opportunities,
  • investment to ensure people can afford and access educational opportunities alongside funding to support ‘equitable access to affordable transport'
  • disability equality awareness training for those responsible for designing and changing the public realm and accessibility training for housing and retail developers.
  • Government to ‘consider barriers' to the adoption of electric vehicles,
  • consideration of new approaches to transport taxation and mobility pricing in supporting ‘a fair, sustainable and accessible transport system'.