Experts have praised new documents published by the Government that outline the future of the strategic road network and aim to improve safety across the country.
The draft third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) will set out the priorities for the strategic road network in England from 2026 to 2031.
Draft documents contain almost £25billion in funding, although this does not include funding for particular infrastructure, including the Agratas electric car battery factory in Somerset.
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The main goals of RIS3 include improving safety for all motorists, fast and reliable journeys, achieving efficient delivery and being environmentally responsible.
The RIS3 draft outlines the management of the strategic road network until 2031
|PA
While National Highways is required to produce a draft Strategic Business Plan (dSBP), the publication of the final Road Investment Strategy is expected to be completed by March 2026.
The RIS3 draft highlighted how previous editions contributed positively to society. RIS1 lowered the flood risk in 260 locations, while RIS2 helped identify areas that were vulnerable to flooding.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the Government was committed to improving the state of roads across the UK through environmental, economic and sustainability goals.
The Labour MP for Nottingham South acknowledged how the transport sector faced "pressures" with the need to decarbonise to meet net zero goals.
National Highways is expected to trial AI technology to improve road safety
| GETTYShe continued, saying: "We will continue to ensure that our roads remain amongst the safest in the world - helping drivers not just to be safe, but crucially, to feel safe and confident when driving.
"Our objectives for RIS3 will be a continuation of the work begun in the first two road periods. Safety, customer service and delivery will remain the cornerstones of the way the SRN is managed."
It also outlines that the Government expects National Highways to prioritise specific routes along the network where safety improvements are most needed.
The aim of this is to meet the target of having no serious injuries or deaths on the road network by 2050 under Vision Zero initiatives.
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This will be done by investing in technology to maintain and improve the reliability of the strategic road network, including upgrading older systems and using AI trials to improve safety.
Commenting on the DfT's publishing of the third Road Investment Strategy draft, Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, highlighted that more needed to be done to tackle the UK's network to minimise disruptions.
He added: "The cancellation of some major road projects appears to be the reason why funding for the next Road Investment Strategy has reduced, and only time will tell what impact this has on congestion and driver satisfaction.
"We hope the focus on improving the standard of existing carriageways results in fewer potholes and faded road markings, both of which drivers tell us are important to them when it comes to motorways and major A-roads."
The Government announced that all new smart motorways would be scrapped in 2023
| PAMr Williams noted that it was particularly welcome that the Government is telling National Highways to manage its network through "preventative maintenance techniques".
It comes as the latest data from the RAC shows that the number of pothole-related breakdowns was "unseasonably high" in the second quarter of 2025.
RAC patrols attended nine per cent more pothole-related breakdowns than they did in the year prior, highlighting the issue with roads across the country.
In total, RAC patrols went to 68 callouts a day between May 2024 and June 2025, prompting the RAC to call on local authorities to do more to improve the state of roads.