National Highways Misses Major Renewals Spending Target After Key Projects Slip

Department for Transport says delays to flagship bridge replacement and concrete road schemes left a third of the Large Renewals budget unspent as RIS3 shifts focus towards maintaining Britain's ageing strategic road network.

National Highways underspent one of its most important infrastructure budgets by almost a third last year after delays to major bridge renewal and concrete road reconstruction projects slowed progress ahead of the start of the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3).

Figures published in the Department for Transport's (DfT) Annual Performance Report show that only £75.2 millionof the £112.2 million allocated to the Large Renewals Programme was spent during the 2025/26 financial year.

The underspend of around 33% has been attributed primarily to delays affecting the M6 Lune Gorge renewal programme and the wider Legacy Concrete Roads Reconstruction programme.

The findings come at a pivotal moment for National Highways, with RIS3 marking a significant shift away from building new roads towards maintaining and renewing the existing Strategic Road Network.

Major Projects Behind Schedule

Among the schemes affected is the M6 Lune Gorge project in Cumbria, where seven ageing motorway bridges are due to be replaced after reaching the end of their operational lives.

While enabling works have already begun, full construction is now expected to commence in early 2027, with completion scheduled for 2031.

The project is being delivered by Kier, although the contractor referred enquiries regarding the programme to National Highways.

A National Highways spokesperson said the organisation was reviewing the way the scheme would be delivered before progressing further.

They said:

"Having engaged and listened to feedback, we will undertake a full review of how this important project will be delivered.

"This will be followed by a public consultation.

"We recognise the importance of working with local communities and businesses to explore opportunities that could help reduce disruption while construction work takes place."

Learning Lessons Before RIS3

The Department for Transport says National Highways has already carried out a comprehensive review into the reasons behind the spending shortfall.

According to the report, improvements are now being introduced around project governance, programme management and stakeholder engagement to ensure similar delays do not affect future investment.

The DfT said:

"It is important National Highways embeds its lessons learned from the renewals underspend this year to ensure improved and efficient delivery of the renewals programme as it expands in RIS3."

The Large Renewals Programme covers major bridge replacement, structures and concrete road renewal schemes with values typically exceeding £50 million, many of which are scheduled for delivery during RIS3 (2026–2031).

Maintenance Takes Centre Stage

The spending figures arrive just months after the Government unveiled its £25 billion RIS3 investment programme, which deliberately shifts emphasis away from major capacity enhancements towards preserving existing infrastructure.

Rather than expanding the motorway network, the new strategy prioritises renewing ageing bridges, replacing deteriorating concrete carriageways and extending the lifespan of critical assets across England's strategic road network.

When announcing RIS3 earlier this year, the Department for Transport said:

"RIS3 marks a deliberate transition from an emphasis on large-scale enhancement projects to an increased focus on major renewals and maintenance, keeping the network safe, reliable and open."

Concrete Roads Programme Moves Forward

Despite the delays, National Highways has continued preparing for one of its largest future renewal programmes.

Earlier this year the organisation appointed Kier, GRAHAM and John Sisk & Son to its new £968 million Legacy Concrete Roads Reconstruction (LCRR) Framework, which will oversee major concrete carriageway replacement projects across the Strategic Road Network over the next six years.

The framework replaces the previous £400 million concrete roads programme and is expected to play a central role in delivering RIS3's maintenance ambitions.

Pressure to Deliver

While underspending is often viewed more favourably than cost overruns, the figures underline the challenge National Highways now faces.

With RIS3 placing unprecedented emphasis on renewing ageing infrastructure rather than delivering new roads, delays to major maintenance programmes risk creating a growing backlog of essential works.

For the Department for Transport, the message is clear: the success of RIS3 will depend not simply on securing funding, but on ensuring projects are delivered efficiently, lessons are acted upon and investment reaches the network when it is needed most.

As England's roads enter a new era focused on resilience rather than expansion, timely delivery may prove just as important as the size of the investment itself.