Roads: Safety

On 7 January 2026, we published our new Road Safety Strategy for Great Britain, setting out our vision for a safer future on our roads for all. The Strategy sets an ambitious target to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in Great Britain by 65%, and by 70% for children under 16, by 2035.

Local authorities are the main delivery body of road safety. Local authorities have a statutory duty to take steps both to reduce and prevent collisions. In the Department’s Local Transport Plan Guidance we have been clear that we expect Local Authorities to have regard to the Government’s road safety targets.

We provide significant funding for road infrastructure in England, both to local authorities and to National Highways. Road Safety is a crucial consideration in how that money is spent. We will provide £24 billion of capital funding between 2026-27 and 2029-30 to maintain and improve motorways and local roads across the country. This future funding builds upon the record investment of £1.6 billion in local road maintenance for 2025 to 2026, representing a £500 million increase compared to last year. How available resources are deployed, is the responsibility of the relevant local authorities taking into account the specific local problems and demands with which they are faced.

Some road safety matters are devolved to Scotland and Wales, with relevant funding allocated. Matters such as Road safety are devolved to the Northern Ireland Executive. As a result of the decisions made by the Chancellor at the Spring Forecast, the Northern Ireland Executive received an additional £380 million RDEL and £10 million CDEL funding to allocate in a way that aligns with their priorities.

We engage constructively with our counterparts in Scotland, Wales and the Northern Ireland, both at ministerial and official level, on a range of issues including Road Safety.