Trade associations have welcomed the government’s plan to reform the Highways Agency, and the unveiling of the watchdogs that will be charged with ensuring the new private entity delivers.

Gerry Keaney, chief executive at the BVLRA, said: “We welcome the reform of the Highways Agency and the government’s desire to introduce a more long-term approach to funding, maintaining and improving the UK’s strategic road network.

“The creation of a roads monitor and road user watchdog are a sensible next step and we look forward to working with them both to champion the needs of the fleet industry.”

The FTA also voiced its support: "Taken together, the roads reform proposals set out in the Infrastructure Bill have potential to improve greatly the way we plan, deliver and operate our strategic roads,” said Karen Dee, FTA director of policy.

“FTA hopes that the bill will receive cross-party support so we can put an end to the stop-start funding of roads improvements we have seen so often in the past," she said.

The Infrastructure Bill is due to go before parliament next week.

The government recently defended its controversial decision to reform the Highways Agency, and stated that an overhaul was the only option.

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