Highway maintenance

In 2017/18 expenditure on local and strategic road networks in Great Britain was £10.2bn, of which about £8bn was on capital expenditure and £2.2bn was on resource or current expenditure.

Capital expenditure includes both new roads, and improvements and asset maintenance that extends and maintains its planned life, such as resurfacing.

Resource or current expenditure supports the continued use of the asset, including winter maintenance, grass cutting, cleaning drainage and inspections.

Road networks are the UK government’s single biggest financial asset and are fundamental to the economic, social and environmental well-being of the communities they serve, whether at local or national strategic levels.

This section sets out the basics of highway maintenance and operating highways. It also covers collaborative delivery, procurement options and issues related to finance.