The Highways Term Maintenance Association (HTMA) has confirmed the launch of a major engagement initiative, across the Highways sector and beyond, in advance of the Government’s next Comprehensive Spending Review, which is expected to start in November.
The HTMA Project, ‘Britain’s Roads – Britain’s Future’ is designed to draw on the vast range of expertise and knowledge within and out with the Highways community, to build ‘the strongest possible case for sustained and coherent funding of the entire UK roads network, through the provision of reliable and robust evidence on the role played by well-maintained highways in supporting the Economic, Social and Environmental wellbeing of the country’
Launching the project at the HTMA Annual General Meeting, in-coming HTMA Chair Peter McDermott, said:
“The forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review will have the most significant influence on the investment in highways infrastructure over the next 10 years and with Government facing the challenges of Health and Social Care expenditure demands, it is vital that the role played by well-maintained roads in the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the country is not overlooked”.
Over the course of the project, which will run to the end of the year, HTMA hopes to engage with organisations and individuals that all have a direct interest in the highways network.
“The intention is to engage with, and ask for evidence from, organisations who understand and value our highways network.  This will include organisations that understand the positive impact of well-maintained roads on economic development, productivity, employment access, health, air quality, accident reduction and the future development of connected and autonomous vehicles.
“Many of these organisations will already be involved within the sector, such as other trades bodies, however, many will not be directly connected with our industry but will have valuable input into building the case for sustained and coherent funding” added Mr McDermott.
George Lee, Chief Executive of HTMA added: “We are issuing a call for evidence and input from all organisations with an interest in highlighting, to the Treasury, the crucial role our highways play in our country and the importance that needs to be attached to improving the investment in and management of our country’s single greatest asset.
“We will be engaging with a range of fellow industry bodies, drawing on and collating their expertise and knowledge, to provide a strong ‘singular voice’ on investment to complement their individual submissions.  However, we will also be looking beyond the sector for evidence on the collateral benefits well maintained roads bring and this will engage bodies in the manufacturing sector, the health sector and those with interests in the environment, technology and road safety”
Whilst HTMA will be reaching out to a number of organisations as part of the Britain’s Roads – Britain’s Future Project, any organisation that believes it has evidence to support the case for investment in the roads network is welcome to contact HTMA directly at spendingreview@htma.info.
 
For further information, contact George Lee, HTMA Chief Executive, on 07970 386834.