CIHT today (25th February) attended a keynote address at the Policy Exchange, delivered by Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch MP in Central London.  

Badenoch spoke to attendees on the UK’s security, defense spending, and geo-political events.  

Badenoch stated during her speech:  

We need to make sure that we have the [national] infrastructure to keep Britain strong

The UK’s highways network is a key national asset, with economic and social benefits based on its physical integrity. 

CIHT has consistently called on the government to commit to deliver a four-point strategy for the Local Highway Network (UK) that will create a vision, funding and focus over the next ten years. 

The condition of the UK Local Highways Network has deteriorated in recent years, due to complex fragmented funding, inability to assess the condition of the Local Highways Network and short-term funding cycles for local authorities.  

Climate change is majorly impacting the UK’s ageing infrastructure assets. Increasingly severe weather events are accelerating failures and disruptions on the network.  

The UK requires a more resilient transport network to ensure reliability for mobility and the supply chain network. This requires future-proofing and maintenance of the transport infrastructure. 

The full keynote address is available to watch here.  

CIHT looks forward to engaging with the Conservative Party and continuing its work with the UK Government, to ensure the proper maintenance of the UK’s infrastructure assets, including the Local Highways Network, ensuring they are fit for purpose and resilient in the face of increasingly adverse weather conditions.  

To find out more about our work in this area, please contact e: communications@ciht.org.uk