The Head of Local Highways Policy, Department for Transport has told the Local Council Roads Innovation Group’s Strictly Highways event that the government is focussed on improving the condition of local roads and approaching problems with a long-term preventative approach.
Matthew Eglington gave the keynote address on the opening morning in Blackpool, and explained that there is still an unknown around funding so he “couldn’t say very much” at present.
But he was keen to underline that the new ministerial team is keen to understand the industry’s challenges and ideas and asked for examples on how innovations are making a tangible difference.
He pointed to the National Audit Office report on the condtion and maintenance of local roads in England and its recommendations to review reporting requirements and its approach to allocation of funding, and support local authorities with updated guidance.
Mr Eglington pointed to the budget on 30 October and a comprehensive spending review next spring. He stressed to the auidence that there is “plenty of opportunity” to feed ideas to the DfT and suggested using LCRIG to reach the Department and described Strictly Highways as a “great place to discuss this”.
(Picture – Highways News)
