National Highways has published an initial vision for the next Road Investment Strategy (RIS 3 - 2025-2030) and, while there is an increased focus on the existing network and investment in small local schemes valued from ￡2m to ￡25m, mega schemes carried forward from the current RIS look set to dominate. Unveiling its Strategic Road Network Initial Report for 2025-2030 -which sets out advice to government - National Highways re-committed to the ￡2bn A303 Stonehenge scheme, the ￡9bn Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) and the ￡1.5bn A66 Northern Trans-Pennine scheme. The government-owned company is awaiting a new ministerial decision on a development consent order (DCO) for the Stonehenge scheme and awaiting decisions on DCO applications for the LTC and A66 schemes. The report makes limited commitments to improving safety. A programme of improvements to A roads will be welcomed by road safety campaigners but existing commitments on smart motorways were watered down. The document rows back on ministers' previous pledge to retrofit emergency areas (EAs) on existing all lane running schemes to achieve a spacing of three-quarters of a mile where possible.
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