A new NAO report has identified inflation and delays as the reasons behind National Highways' likely inability to adhere to the budgets set for dozens of road upgrade projects.
National Highways, which manages motorways and major roads in England, was given a total of £14.1bn by the Department for Transport (DfT) for 69 enhancement schemes in the second road investment strategy (RIS2). According to NAO, the government-owned company has completed less work and at a higher cost than anticipated.
The report warned it will cost an estimated £3.3bn more than planned to complete the projects due to take place between April 2020 and March 2025.
It also stated that projects due to be in construction during the subsequent five years are likely to cost £6bn above previous expectations, although that includes some of the schemes included in the £3.3bn figure.
Currently, around 33 schemes are behind schedule by between one month and more than three years,...