National Highways
In August 2021, it was announced that Highways England (known as the Highways Agency until 1 April 2015) would change its name to ‘National Highways’, reflecting a new focus on delivering the government’s strategic roads investment programme. Ref https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nick-harris-appointed-chief-executive-at-new-look-national-highways
National Highways is a a government-owned, arm’s-length company which builds and operates the country’s motorways and major A-roads (the strategic road network (SRN)).
It was established (as Highways England) under the Infrastructure Act 2015, and appointed and licensed as a strategic highways company by the Secretary of State for Transport on 1 April 2015. For more information see: Highways England.
Its performance is monitored by the Office of Rail and Road, and Transport Focus, the consumer watchdog. Both organisations provide advice to the Secretary of State for Transport on its activities.
On 2 September 2021, National Highways launched Digital Roads 2025, through which they will work with tech partners to adopt digital technologies for the move to electric, connected and autonomous vehicles. For more information see: Digital Roads 2025.
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