British progress has depended largely on rising European vehicle standards. It remains the case that similar advancements have not been seen in infrastructure safety. However, in 2016, government launched the Safer Roads Fund to address our highest risk ‘A’ roads in an influential step. Systemic management of infrastructure risk is now required by law elsewhere in Europe.

Highways England and Transport for London have set ambitions that no-one should be hurt on their networks by 2040 but must now target infrastructure risks systemically along busy routes. This report identifies where quick, high returns lie for a £620 million investment portfolio on local ‘A’ roads in England (including the Major Roads Network), with similar packages available in Scotland, Wales and on the Strategic Road Network in England.