Today the government has published the Road Investment Strategy covering 2026–31 (RIS3). This sets out what it expects National Highways to deliver for its £27bn of RIS3 funding. ORR has played an important part in the run up to RIS3 and throughout the period we will hold the company to account to deliver its commitments.
The process for RIS3 started in August 2025, when the Department for Transport (DfT) published its draft road investment strategy. National Highways then produced its draft Strategic Business Plan (dSBP), setting out how it aims to deliver the government’s priorities. To support this process, we carried out our Efficiency Review and reviewed our Holding to Account policy.
Our Efficiency Review
ORR’s Efficiency Review represents our core advice to government on the development of RIS3 and is especially important when public finances are constrained. Our review assessed the efficiency of National Highways’ plans, the soundness of cost estimates, and the deliverability of the proposals and sets out our recommendations on costs and affordability, performance targets and National Highways’ readiness to deliver.
In doing so we help protect taxpayers’ money and ensure that the company is accountable for achieving and maintaining strong performance in RP3.
Refreshing our holding to account policy
Following a public consultation, our holding to account policy has been refreshed to ensure it remains relevant and fit for purpose as we enter RP3, and is aligned with the government’s regulatory reform agenda.
The policy sets out how we will monitor National Highways’ performance, efficiency and delivery on behalf of road users, taxpayers and the wider public. It also sets out how we identify, escalate and resolve concerns. It’s intended to preserve what works effectively today, while relieving regulatory administrative burden. It also shows how we have challenged ourselves on the way we work and why, to ensure our monitoring and regulation is effective.
Our new holding to account policy:
- sets out our strategic approach, including how we intend to build on the successes of RP2 to hold National Highways effectively to account in RP3;
- has greater clarity on ORR’s role; and
- uses clearer language to set out what we do and how we do it.
Opportunities in RP3
The publication of our Efficiency Review and refreshed holding to account policy marks an important milestone as we enter RP3. Together, they set the foundation for how we will hold National Highways to account over the next five years.
Now that this phase of work is complete, our focus turns to supporting National Highways to deliver RP3. We will continue to monitor, challenge and report on National Highways’ performance and delivery, working to ensure the company meets the requirements set for the next road period.
