The UK government has unveiled a £27 billion investment programme for England’s roads.

It signals one of the largest overhauls of the network in decades, but also raises questions about priorities, delivery and long-term impact for motorists.

`Motoring organisations and road specialists have called for greater investment for decades, but years of austerity when it comes to the country’s highways, apart from motorways, have left the road network crumbling and recently described as “a national disgrace”.

The rollout

Announced as part of the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3), the funding will be spread over five years and focused largely on England’s motorways and major A-roads, which form the backbone of the country’s transport system.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the plan would “fix the foundations” of Britain’s ageing road network, improve reliability and support economic growth.

However, for many motorists, it is the smaller A and B roads that seem to be disappearing into holes, causing record levels of vehicle damage and becoming a serious road safety issue, according to many motorists and motoring organisations.

 

The winners

A significant portion of the investment, £8.4 billion, has been earmarked specifically for maintenance and renewal, including resurfacing roads, repairing structures and upgrading ageing infrastructure.

The programme will:

• Resurface around a quarter of the Strategic Road Network
• Repair potholes and worn-out road surfaces
• Replace ageing bridges and infrastructure
• Upgrade roadside technology to improve safety and traffic flow

In addition, £3.8 billion will go towards targeted upgrades to reduce congestion and unlock economic growth.

Major projects confirmed include:

• The long-awaited dualling of the A66 between Cumbria and North Yorkshire
• Continued backing for the Lower Thames Crossing, a major new route linking Kent and Essex
• Upgrades to ageing motorway structures, including parts of the M6

Overall, the funding will cover nearly 6,000 miles of motorway and major A-road lanes, representing close to a quarter of the network.

Ministers argue the investment will do more than fix roads.

The Department for Transport says it will support tens of thousands of jobs, particularly in construction and supply chains, while improving connectivity for businesses and freight.

“The strategic road network is a key economic artery,” Alexander said, emphasising its role in keeping goods moving and supporting industries such as retail and manufacturing.

Maintenance over expansion

Notably, RIS3 marks a shift in emphasis compared to previous programmes.

Rather than launching large numbers of new road schemes, the government says the priority is now to maintain and renew existing infrastructure.

Industry analysts say this reflects the growing backlog of repairs.

The conclusion of the 2026 Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) report from the Asphalt Industry Alliance described Britain’s roads as a “national disgrace, with a record repair backlog of £18.6 billion.

Previous surveys have shown that roads are resurfaced on average only once every 90–97 years, far beyond their intended lifespan, while more than half of the network has less than 15 years of structural life remaining.

Motoring organisations say drivers are increasingly feeling the consequences.

The RAC has reported a rise in pothole-related breakdowns, warning that poor road surfaces are leading to “avoidable” repair bills and unsafe journeys.

Similarly, the AA said deteriorating roads are turning many routes into “patchwork obstacle courses”, with worsening conditions driven in part by wetter winters and ageing infrastructure.

Criticism and concerns

This new Government announcement has not been without controversy.

Campaign groups argue that continued investment in new road capacity risks increasing traffic and emissions.

Critics from the Transport Action Network warned that some schemes are “unnecessary” and could worsen congestion rather than relieve it.

There are also concerns about whether the funding will reach local roads, where many drivers experience the worst conditions.

Councils have filled an estimated 1.9 million potholes over the past year, but the problem is worsening, with new defects forming faster than repairs can be completed.

While billions are being spent on major routes, councils remain under pressure to tackle potholes despite years of under-funding on smaller roads, and with new funding tied to performance targets.

 

 

On the tarmac

For motorists, the investment could bring smoother journeys, fewer potholes and improved reliability on key routes over the coming years.

Upgraded infrastructure and reduced congestion may also help cut journey times and vehicle wear and tear.

Improved road networks will also aid the drive for greater economic growth by improving transport logistics and efficiency.

However, experts caution that benefits will take time to materialise.

Major projects like the Lower Thames Crossing could take years to complete, while maintenance programmes will be rolled out gradually.

William Porter, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at IAM RoadSmart, said the “ announcement is a welcome recognition that maintaining and renewing our road network is just as important as building new infrastructure when it comes to road safety. Drivers rely on well-maintained roads for safe journeys, and years of underinvestment have left too many routes in a poor and potentially dangerous condition.

“This focus on long-term, preventative maintenance is a positive step, but investment must go hand in hand with measures that improve driver behaviour and road design. A truly effective road network is one that is not only reliable and resilient but consistently supports safer driving and reduces the risk of collisions for everyone using it.”

A long-term reset?

The £27bn plan represents a significant commitment to the road network at a time when infrastructure has been under growing strain.

Whether it delivers meaningful improvements for everyday drivers and balances economic growth with environmental concerns will depend on how effectively the funding is implemented.

However, the announcement should be welcomed as a step in the right direction after years of decline and could represent a reset for Britain’s roads.