Major roads investment package

The Department for Transport, together with National Highways and supported by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood, has announced a comprehensive £27 billion investment package for England’s motorway and major A-road network under the Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3).

This ambitious five-year plan, unveiled on 26 March 2026, represents one of the most significant infrastructure renewals in the sector’s history and is designed to address long-standing deterioration across the strategic and local road networks, while positioning the UK’s transport infrastructure for future demands.

Under RIS3, a primary focus will be placed on essential maintenance, with National Highways tasked to resurface over 9,000 kilometres of motorway and major A-road lanes, accounting for nearly a quarter of the network. Key projects include the full dualling of the A66 corridor between Cumbria and North Yorkshire and government facilitation of private investment in the Lower Thames Crossing, an initiative intended to alleviate congestion and strengthen regional connectivity in the South East. An unprecedented £8.4 billion is earmarked specifically for pre-emptive repairs and renewals, aiming to minimise unplanned closures and maintain service reliability for businesses, freight operators, and individual motorists.

In addition to major national schemes, the strategy includes a green light for 16 pivotal road improvements on local roads, supporting economic regeneration, job creation, and new housing developments in multiple regions. These projects, ranging from bypasses to critical junction capacity enhancements, have been selected based on their value for money and deliverability, with the intent of maximising positive community and economic outcomes, especially in previously underinvested areas.

Further, £7.3 billion allocated at the previous Spending Review remains dedicated to local authorities for pothole repairs and long-term maintenance. A new council rating system has been introduced to provide transparency for communities, ensuring allocated funds are effectively utilised.

Schemes scheduled under RIS3 span critical locations across England, such as the reconstruction of the A120 Wix Bypass, major junction improvements in Nottingham, and bridge upgrades along the M6 and M5 corridors. The government’s strategic pipeline also outlines future schemes of national significance, including junction enhancements supporting regional growth, critical access upgrades near major ports, and measures to unlock housing and commercial opportunities.

For the construction supply chain, these developments represent substantial opportunities not only in direct delivery—ranging from civil engineering and materials supply to specialist structural services—but also in supporting innovation in durability, sustainability, and technology solutions. Suppliers, subcontractors, and main contractors are well positioned to engage with long-term frameworks and regional packages associated with the RIS3 portfolio, underpinning growth and assured demand across the sector. The scale and predictability of this investment provides a robust platform for market entry, expansion, and collaborative ventures, particularly for those offering expertise aligned with the evolving requirements of the UK’s national infrastructure strategy.

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