Highways England
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| Highways England | |
|---|---|
| Name | Highways England |
| Type | Government-owned company |
| Industry | Transport |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Predecessor | Highways Agency |
| Headquarters | Warwickshire, England |
| Area served | England |
| Key people | Mike Wilson |
| Owner | Secretary of State for Transport (United Kingdom) |
Highways England is the trading name of the government-owned company established in 2015 to manage, maintain and improve the strategic road network in England. It succeeded the Highways Agency and operates under the oversight of the Department for Transport (United Kingdom), interacting with bodies such as Transport for London, Network Rail, National Highways (company) (renamed in 2021), and local authorities including Greater Manchester Combined Authority and West Midlands Combined Authority. The organisation engages with stakeholders ranging from vehicle manufacturers like Jaguar Land Rover and Tesla, Inc. to construction firms including Balfour Beatty, Laing O'Rourke, and Costain Group.
History
Highways England was created following the enactment of provisions in the Infrastructure Act 2015 and Road Investment Strategy 2015–2020 announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Transport (United Kingdom). Its predecessor, the Highways Agency, had origins linked to postwar road planning influenced by reports such as the Special Roads Act 1949 and the development of motorways like the M1 motorway and M6 motorway. Early 21st-century reforms were shaped by white papers from the Department for Transport (United Kingdom) and by inquiries into schemes exemplified by the A14 upgrade and the M25 motorway widening. The transition sought to apply corporate governance models similar to Network Rail and to align with regional strategies promoted by devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—though trunk roads remained an English responsibility.
Organisation and governance
Highways England operated as an arm’s-length company wholly owned by the Secretary of State for Transport (United Kingdom), with a board drawn from sectors including civil engineering and finance. Governance incorporated reporting to Parliament of the United Kingdom through annual reports, and operational coordination with entities such as High Speed 2 (HS2), Canal & River Trust, and the Environment Agency (England and Wales). Executive leadership liaised with ministers from cabinets of David Cameron, Theresa May, and Boris Johnson, and with advisory inputs from trade unions like Unite the Union and GMB (trade union). The corporate structure used regional delivery units mirroring corridors such as those managed by National Highways (company) prior to later rebranding and restructuring.
Responsibilities and functions
Highways England was responsible for the strategic road network including motorways and primary routes, undertaking activities such as maintenance, safety improvements, traffic management, and major construction. It coordinated incident response with emergency services including Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and London Ambulance Service and collaborated with freight organisations like the Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association. Policy frameworks from the Road Traffic Act 1988 and guidance from the Office of Rail and Road influenced operational standards, while environmental obligations referenced legislation such as the Climate Change Act 2008 and directives from the European Commission prior to Brexit. Highways England also engaged in innovation programmes with research partners including University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and the Transport Research Laboratory.
Major projects and road network
Major capital schemes delivered under Highways England’s stewardship included upgrades to corridors like the A14 road (England), the A1(M), and sections of the M25 motorway. Projects interfaced with rail schemes such as Crossrail and HS2, and with port access projects tied to Port of Felixstowe and Port of Liverpool. Delivery partners encompassed multinational contractors like Skanska and Vinci, with financing models informed by instruments used in projects such as the M6 Toll and lessons from the Dartford Crossing. The strategic network connected to international freight routes serving links to the Port of Dover, Channel Tunnel, and to nodes such as Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, and Newcastle upon Tyne.
Performance, funding and accountability
Funding derived from departmental allocations set within the Road Investment Strategy 2015–2020 and subsequent settlements approved by the Treasury (United Kingdom). Performance metrics reported to Parliament and to regulators included measures of punctuality, safety, and asset condition monitored by the Office of Rail and Road and audited by bodies such as the National Audit Office. Accountability mechanisms referenced public inquiries like those into the M6 Toll and statutory obligations under acts including the Highways Act 1980. Financial controls interacted with procurement frameworks governed by EU-derived rules prior to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and later UK procurement reforms.
Criticism and controversies
Highways England faced criticism over cost overruns and programme delays on schemes such as the A14 road (England) upgrade and contentious planning decisions affecting communities near projects like the Stonehenge road tunnel proposal linked to the Stonehenge World Heritage Site. Environmental groups including Friends of the Earth and Campaign to Protect Rural England raised concerns about biodiversity impacts and carbon emissions, drawing attention from the Committee on Climate Change. Labour organisations and opposition parties including the Labour Party (UK) and the Green Party of England and Wales questioned accountability, while local MPs and bodies such as the Local Government Association and combined authorities critiqued engagement and prioritisation. High-profile incidents involving winter resilience and flood responses brought scrutiny from the Environment Agency (England and Wales) and parliamentary select committees.