Highways England To Become National Highways Following Name Change
Highways England, the government-owned business tasked with maintaining many of the country’s motorways and major A-roads, is changing its name…
National Highways Is Born
Highways England is a government-owned company responsible for maintaining the nation’s sprawling system of motorways and major A-roads. Now, however, it’s rebranding – changing its name to ‘National Highways’ and appointing a new chief executive. The changes, it claims, are a part of a plan to better reflect the government’s new £27 billion investment programme in road infrastructure. Nevertheless, the company’s remit will still be limited to roads in England; with separate authorities assuming responsibility in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
This isn’t the first time the firm has changed its name. It was only six years ago that it changed its name from ‘Highways Agency’ to ‘Highways England’. As of late, the company has come under fire over the safety, or lack thereof, of some of its ‘smart’ motorway formats; which have seen some drivers become stranded, only to lose their lives in collisions as a consequence.
A New Boss
In addition to the new name, Nick Harris has been announced as the company’s new chief executive. Harris, who has been with the firm since 2016, will be tasked will the rollout of the strategic roads investment programme; not to mention improving the safety of the road network overall. He said he was “pleased to be taking up the reins at such an exciting time”. He added, “we have achieved a great deal and there is still more to be done”.
Grant Shappes, the Transport Secretary, welcomed the changes. He said, “nick will steer Highways England into an exciting new chapter, as it evolves into National Highways and delivers on our £27 billion plan to improve our roads and make journeys safer, smoother and greener”.
Edmund King, President of the AA, wasn’t impressed by the change of name though. He said, “this seems a bizarre move as ‘Highways England’ describes what it does on the tin – it looks after main roads and motorways in England. It is not national in the sense that it doesn’t cover the nations of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland”.
King also expressed that the new name would mean little to drivers. He explained, “drivers really don’t care what it is called but they do care about having well-maintained, safe roads and motorways. Ironically many people still refer to it as the Highways Agency despite changing its name six years ago. When drivers are stuck in jams on pot-holed roads, they don’t care whether the fat controller is from the Highways Agency, Highways England or National Highways. They just want the roads sorted”.
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