Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Chief Executive's Introduction

It is my privilege as Chief Executive of the Highways Agency to welcome you to this report, which reflects on the most recent milestones on our journey towards becoming a more efficient and effective network operator, and looks towards the challenges which lie ahead.

The Highways Agency has had another very successful year, achieving seven out of our eight business plan targets, and making good progress on, but not quite hitting the eighth. In particular, we have taken great strides in improving journey reliability by reducing average delay times; the numbers of people killed or seriously injured on our roads again fell substantially; our road user satisfaction measure improved, although less than planned, and we opened 16 major improvement schemes to traffic.

The year also included some other notable achievements. After detailed development and cost estimation work in the Highways Agency the Secretary of State for Transport announced a new major improvements programme, and endorsed our innovative Managed Motorways concept, where the hard shoulder is used as a running lane.We continued to work closely with HM Treasury to develop guidance on Sustainability Reporting for implementation across government in future years. I am also delighted to report that the Highways Agency did not make the headlines for the wrong reasons during the last winter's severe weather, due to our success in keeping the network open throughout some of the worst snow and ice we have experienced in the last two decades. And we have delivered our programme within budget despite being set challenging efficiency targets, with savings of £106 million achieved in the year.

Some significant challenges face the Highways Agency in the year ahead. We have begun to mobilise to help deliver the Government's fiscal stimulus programme in which we are bringing forward some £400 million of planned investment into 2009-10. By contrast, on top of our original targeted value for money gains of £144 million by the end of 2010-11, the November 2008 Pre-Budget Report tasked us with identifying a further £150 million efficiency savings over this period.  We will therefore continue our drive for efficiency across the business, including taking on board the National Audit Office's recommendations on how we can improve the delivery of our maintenance function.  

To deliver our programme we need people with up to date skills, especially in project and contract management, and in delivering performance. We have therefore continued developing skills of our people, and brought in specialist expertise where required. Our popular graduate recruitment programme also helps us 'grow our own' future leaders. We rely heavily on our supply chain, and have developed closer working on major projects, ensuring a clear understanding of our respective objectives.

I welcome those who have joined the Highways Agency this year; we appreciate the skills and experience that you bring. I also thank those
members of staff who have moved on from the Agency in the last year, in particular, to my predecessor Archie Robertson, who was instrumental in driving forward the transformation of the Agency into a 24/7 network operator, and former Finance Director, Mel Zuydam.

And most of all, I would like to thank all my staff in all roles, both in-house and in our supply chain, for the contributions you have made during the year. The Agency's success is a direct result of your effort and commitment. Thank you.

Graham Dalton
Chief Executive

Highlights

Reliability

We kept the network open throughout some of the worst snow storms for 20 years.

Strategic roads programme

16 major new schemes opened during the year.

Environment

Targets for air and water quality, and biodiversity achieved.

Information

Enhancements made to Traffic Radio, and improved travel time information via on-road variable message signs.

Safety

Reductions in deaths and serious injuries ahead of target.

Finance

Over 99% of budgets for the year utilised.

Maintenance

Improved targeting of interventions through the development of an integrated asset management strategy

Annual Report

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