Antonia Williams, Director General, Roads Transport Group, Department for Transport, has issued a letter addressed to the Chief Executives of local highway authorities in England, highlighting highways maintenance incentive funding requirements for 2026 to 2027.

The full letter can be read here, but it begins:

“Dear chief executive,

The Department for Transport (DfT) has previously announced funding allocations for 2026 to 2027, including a highways maintenance incentive element. I am writing to set out the requirements your local highway authority will need to meet to qualify for the highways maintenance incentive funding for the 2026 to 2027 financial year.

The government has confirmed record levels of long-term highways maintenance funding – £7.3 billion between 2026 to 2027 and 2029 to 2030 – to help local highway authorities plan ahead, adopt more preventative maintenance and improve the long-term condition of England’s local roads network.

In addition, the department is simplifying its funding arrangements for many areas, providing greater flexibility and consolidating funds that are paid to the local transport authority.

To ensure this increased and long-term investment translates into real improvements for road users, the department has introduced a strengthened regime of transparency reporting, annually updated ratings, and incentive funding, which was first implemented in 2025 to 2026.

These reforms respond directly to recommendations from the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee, which have called for a better understanding of the condition of local roads and more robust monitoring of how funding is being used.

The department wants to ensure that its highways funding delivers safer, smoother and more reliable journeys – and that all authorities, regardless of size or geography, spend their funding in line with best practice and on the basis of strong asset management foundations.”

(Picture: National Highways)