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Independent Review recommends 'a fresh start' for the management of England's strategic roads
Issued by the News Distribution Service on behalf of the Cook Review
Major savings for taxpayers and benefits for the national economy
could be unlocked by reforming the Government's
management of England's motorways and trunk roads, says
an independent review published today.
Speaking on the day of the publication of the review, Alan
Cook said:
"The management of our strategic roads is at odds
with every other major infrastructure sector in the UK. By
applying the lessons learnt by the best performing companies in
other sectors, there is the potential to save taxpayers at least
£200 million a year after 5 years, and to provide a much better
service for road users and the wider economy."
The report recommends that the Secretary of State for
Transport should take on a new, more strategic role in the
management of the network, providing longer-term funding certainty
for the organisation and acting as a champion for the interests of
road users and the economy through a performance specification
with tough new targets for efficiency and customer service.
Alongside of this, the report also recommends reforming the status
of the current Highways Agency, giving it a more independent
Board, which can make better and more flexible commercial
decisions with greater financial autonomy.
Mr Cook concluded: "The importance of this network
to the growth of the economy is enormous. It handles a third of
all traffic in England and two-thirds of all freight traffic. But
policy makers need to be much clearer about what they want the
network to deliver in return for the public money that is spent on
it. Meeting the country's current economic and financial
challenges demands a change in our approach."
Notes to Editors
1. The full report and a set of frequently asked questions is
available at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/strategic-roads-network.
2. The review was announced in April 2011 by the Secretary of
State for Transport. It has been led by Alan Cook, who is the
Non-Executive Chairman of the Highways Agency.
3. For further details, or to request an interview with Alan
Cook, please contact Amelia Yeodal on 07789 017 212 or email amelia.yeodal@highways.gsi.gov.uk.
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
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