Committee publication · Correspondence · 24 June 2026 · HC 464
Letter from the Interim Chief Executive, National Highways relating to the Road Safety Strategy, dated 16 June 2026
From: Transport Committee
Inquiry: Work of National Highways
Summary
National Highways' interim chief executive responds in writing to questions from the Transport Committee following an April 2026 evidence session on the Road Investment Strategy (RIS2 and RIS3). The letter provides detailed data on road safety statistics, suicide prevention partnerships, EV charging forecasting, Lower Thames Crossing specifications, active travel integration, and accessibility improvements across the Strategic Road Network.
Key findings
- In 2024, 1,931 deaths and serious injuries (KSIs) occurred on the SRN; the KSI rate fell to 1.99 per 100 million vehicle miles—down one-third from 2010—but local roads remain six times more dangerous at 12.69 per 100 million vehicle miles.
- Road user behaviour (ineffective observation, speed) is the most commonly identified collision factor, contributing to approximately 60% of collisions; those over 75 face the highest risk of death or serious injury if involved in a collision.
- Vulnerable road users face disproportionate risk: 76% of pedestrian casualties on motorways and 67% on A-roads are killed or seriously injured, compared to 15–17% of car occupants.
- National Highways has invested over £16 million in suicide prevention measures since 2020, with continued partnership with Samaritans into RIS3, and published the first-ever roads and bridges suicide prevention guidance.
- Lower Thames Crossing includes 40 miles of walking and cycling improvements (three new miles for every mile of road), seven green bridges, and a refreshed Sustainable Transport Working Group to support local authority bus and ferry services; HGV rest area was removed following consultation due to environmental and local housing concerns.
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Nick Joyce, Ruth Cadbury MP, National Highways, Transport Select Committee, Samaritans, Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), Department for Transport, Active Travel England
Notable line
“… no deaths or serious injuries on the SRN. Every death and serious injury (KSI) on our roads is a tragedy.”
Key Quotes
“Safety is our highest priority. England's motorways and major A roads are among the safest roads in the world, but our ambition goes further: no deaths or serious injuries on the SRN.”
“We have reduced deaths and serious injuries by 38% compared to the 2005/09 baseline of 3100 KSIs, meaning that last year alone 1,169 more people got home safely.”
“… road user behaviour is the most commonly identified factor contributing to collisions and KSIs, contributing to around six in ten collisions.”
“Vulnerable road users in collisions face a much higher risk of serious injury or death. On motorways 52% of motorcyclist casualties and 76% of pedestrian casualties are killed or seriously injured.”
“Since 2020, National Highways has invested over £16 million in safety improvements aimed at reducing suicides at high-risk locations.”
“The congestion at, and the age of, the Dartford Crossing is a major brake on UK growth. It is the least reliable part of the SRN with almost all northbound peak-time journeys delayed.”
“The project includes extensive plans for active travel; adding or improving three miles of cycling and walking routes (almost 40 miles in total) for every mile of new road.”
“Provision for cycling through the tunnel was considered, however, given the gradients and length of the tunnel, it was found not to be feasible for cyclists to use.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗