{"id":394141,"date":"2026-03-26T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?guid=5ef5e8718f59d02a3d1d172f9d226169"},"modified":"2026-03-26T20:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T10:00:00","slug":"preparing-for-the-third-road-period-our-efficiency-review-and-holding-to-account-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=394141","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for the third road period: our efficiency review and holding to account policy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Preparing for the third road period: our efficiency review and holding to account policy <\/span>
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This blog looks at what we have done to assess National Highways\u2019 plans for the next five years and to update our approach to holding the company to account for performance, delivery and efficiency. <\/div>\n
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Today the government has published the Road Investment Strategy covering 2026\u201331<\/a> (RIS3). This sets out what it expects National Highways to deliver for its \u00a327bn of RIS3 funding. ORR has played an important part in the run up to RIS3 and throughout the period we will hold the company to account to deliver its commitments.  <\/p>\n

The process for RIS3 started in August 2025, when the Department for Transport (DfT) published its draft road investment strategy. National Highways then produced its draft Strategic Business Plan (dSBP), setting out how it aims to deliver the government\u2019s priorities. To support this process, we carried out our Efficiency Review and reviewed our Holding to Account policy.  <\/p>\n

Our Efficiency Review  <\/h2>\n

ORR\u2019s Efficiency Review<\/a> represents our core advice to government on the development of RIS3 and is especially important when public finances are constrained. Our review assessed the efficiency of National Highways\u2019 plans, the soundness of cost estimates, and the deliverability of the proposals and sets out our recommendations on costs and affordability, performance targets and National Highways\u2019 readiness to deliver.<\/p>\n

In doing so we help protect taxpayers\u2019 money and ensure that the company is accountable for achieving and maintaining strong performance in RP3.<\/p>\n

Refreshing our holding to account policy<\/h2>\n

Following a public consultation, our holding to account policy<\/a> has been refreshed to ensure it remains relevant and fit for purpose as we enter RP3, and is aligned with the government\u2019s regulatory reform agenda.<\/p>\n

The policy sets out how we will monitor National Highways\u2019 performance, efficiency and delivery on behalf of road users, taxpayers and the wider public. It also sets out how we identify, escalate and resolve concerns. It\u2019s intended to preserve what works effectively today, while relieving regulatory administrative burden. It also shows how we have challenged ourselves\u202fon the way we work and why,\u202fto ensure our monitoring and regulation is effective.<\/p>\n

Our new holding to account policy:<\/p>\n