The article discusses the Highways (Financing) Bill, which would allow private finance to support major strategic road schemes in England through a regulated asset base model overseen by the Office of Rail and Road. It argues that the approach could reduce funding constraints and improve delivery certainty, but only if risk is allocated fairly and regulation is robust.
Network Rail intends to extend the East West Rail Alliance’s existing contract with a £650m direct award for further upgrade works on the Oxford-Cambridge route. The package includes re-signalling, track, electrification, level crossing closures, station improvements and associated enabling works, subject to funding and approvals.
MPs are urging the government to let councils use unspent Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) receipts to repair roads and reduce the backlog of carriageway maintenance. The APPG for Better Roads argues that existing and future CIL funds could be directed more transparently and effectively towards highway resurfacing and pothole prevention.
Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has paused the Rockingham Wing extension after updated costs and programme delays made the scheme less affordable than expected. The trust is now weighing a new-build option against a revised extension-and-rebuild approach, while services continue and the existing wing remains in use with RAAC-related monitoring in place.
