Parliament’s Transport Committee will examine the work of National Highways this week in a one-off session with senior figures from the Government-owned company.

Wednesday’s session will mark the first time in this Parliament that the organisation has appeared before the Committee.

MPs will explore the performance and priorities of National Highways as it enters the third road period with a new interim leadership. As well as looking at what major decisions lie ahead, MPs could also seek answers on why National Highways missed its target for road user satisfaction and why it is forecasting to miss its corporate carbon target this year.

The Committee will also focus on the recently-published third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3). Given that RIS3 represents a significant shift in focus from new roads to renewals for National Highways over the next five years, MPs will explore how prepared National Highways is to deliver this successfully.

RIS3 also says National Highways will support the acceleration of EV charging infrastructure on the Strategic Road Network and MPs will probe what this commitment means in practice.

Other topics explored could include design and planning on the Lower Thames Crossing and steps taken to support active travel across the strategic road network.

Those taking part are:

Gareth Rhys Williams, Chair of National Highways 

·        Nick Joyce, Interim Chief Executive Officer at National Highways 

·        Elliot Shaw, Chief Customer & Strategy Officer at National Highways 

·        Nicola Bell, Chief Capital Delivery Officer at National Highways 

·        Duncan Smith, Chief Operating Officer at National Highway 

(Picture – Parliament)