National Highways

National Highways is the government agency responsible for managing and maintaining England's motorways and major A-roads. They are currently newsworthy due to several ongoing issues. Firstly, their smart motorway schemes, which convert hard shoulders into live lanes, are under intense scrutiny. Official evaluations have deemed many of these projects as providing poor or very poor value for money, and safety reports related to them are allegedly being withheld. Secondly, a "technical issue" has led to some speed cameras incorrectly penalizing motorists since 2021, potentially resulting in the cancellation of thousands of speeding fines. Finally, National Highways is also involved in managing road closures and disruptions caused by severe weather events, such as snow and ice from Arctic blasts and storms like Storm Goretti, highlighting their role in ensuring safe travel during adverse conditions. These issues raise questions about the agency's efficiency, safety practices, and accountability.