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Current highway infrastructure Code of Practice contains significant gaps, requiring urgent updates.

Recommendation
The Department told us that Ministers are considering a review of the Code of Practice as it considers there to be value in doing so, even though it will be major task to update the more than 260-page document. The Department acknowledged that there are gaps in the current Code of Practice that would need to be addressed, including in areas such as new technologies for assessing conditions and repairing potholes and climate adaptation.72 For example, the Road Surface Treatments Association set out to us the importance of road drainage systems to reduce road deterioration, given the increased rainfall from climate change.73 However, the Department also highlighted to us the work local authorities already do to share best practice between them as well as the work the Department is doing to support local authorities on responding to climate change.74
Government Response

A response document is linked to this report, dated 6 May 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.

Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 1.7 yrs
Report published 17 Jan 2025