A £27 billion government commitment to road infrastructure is set to drive a significant pipeline of work across the UK, with implications for plant, hire and supply chains across the sector.
Set out under the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3), the programme covers both major upgrades and essential maintenance across England’s road network. This includes the resurfacing of more than 9,000 kilometres of motorway and major A-road lanes, alongside wider improvement works aimed at keeping the network operational and fit for purpose.
Alongside this, funding is being directed toward both national infrastructure and local road networks. Major schemes include the dualling of the A66 between Cumbria and North Yorkshire, while government support remains in place to bring forward the Lower Thames Crossing, a project intended to ease congestion and strengthen connectivity across the South East.
A substantial proportion of the investment is focused on maintenance, with £8.4 billion allocated to renewing and repairing the strategic road network before more serious issues arise. In parallel, £7.3 billion has been committed to local authorities to address potholes and support longer-term upkeep of local roads. A further 16 schemes, including bypasses and junction improvements, have also been approved, with the aim of supporting housing and economic activity in areas that have historically struggled to secure infrastructure investment.
For the construction equipment sector, the scale and spread of this programme point to sustained demand across a range of applications, from large-scale infrastructure delivery through to ongoing regional maintenance work.
Viki Bell, CEO of the CEA (Construction Equipment Association), said:
“This level of investment sets out a clear and sustained pipeline of work, which will drive demand across the construction equipment sector. Highways work relies on a wide range of plant, from earthmoving and compaction through to surfacing and traffic management, and that breadth will be reflected in the opportunities ahead. It’s positive for both equipment manufacturers and the hire sector, as well as the wider supply chain supporting delivery on the ground. The focus now needs to be on ensuring the industry has the capacity, skills and certainty to respond.”
The announcement aligns with priorities previously set out in the CEA’s industry manifesto, which called for long-term infrastructure investment to provide certainty for the construction equipment sector and its supply chain.
While the funding sets a strong direction, delivery will depend on planning, procurement and workforce capacity, all of which remain key considerations for the sector.
Read the full article in Global Highways: https://www.globalhighways.com/news/ps27-billion-uk-road-improvements