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Video: DfT director John Dowie on the road sector's "transformational moment'

The Bill containing legislation to turn the Highways Agency into an arms length government company passed its first reading last week. Department for Transport director John Dowie explains the challenges.

This interview with John Dowie was recorded at the recent ACE annual conference. For more video from the is event click here

Department of Transport director John Dowie talks to Infrastucture Intelligence editor Antony Oliver about the challenge facing the Agency as it begins the process of become more private sector in its thinking.

With a tripling of investment and new five uear funding horinzon planned fot the Highways Agency its a "transformational moment" for the road industry, says Dowie.

Road investment strategies that are key to the Agency establishing its forward work programme and funding requirement over a five year, regulated investment period will be released by the end of June, sources have said.

The Infrastructure Bill would turn the Highways Agency into a government-owned company. It would also provide for stable, long term funding for national strategic road infrastructure projects, to create and repair the motorways and major A routes that support the economy. It would create units within Passenger Focus and the Office of Rail Regulation to represent the interests of road users and to monitor the company’s performance.

If you would like to contact Antony Oliver about this, or any other story, please email antony.oliver@infrastructure-intelligence.com.