Supporting economic growth

摘要

One of Highways England's new strategic outcomes is supporting economic growth by modernising and improving the strategic road network to relieve congestion and reduce delays, and to open up new areas for development helping businesses to flourish and encouraging investment. Highways England has produced a new planning guide and is developing a ￡100m growth and housing fund as part of a suite of new initiatives to support economic growth. We've been talking to Mahmood Azam, head of strategy, growth and economic development to find out more. The change we are committed to is not superficial. It is a fundamental shift in our focus and we are committed to working with and listening to stakeholders as we evolve and develop our approach. It is important that we continually adapt to ensure we are responding to feedback and local priorities, whilst maintaining a safe and resilient strategic road network. One of the fundamental changes is our role in the planning system as statutory consultee. This has changed due to our change of status and our responses to planning consultations no longer constitute a 'direction' but instead are formal advice and recommendations to the local planning authority.