DfT seeks to capitalise on its 'autonomous ready' vision.
Story by Domnic Browne.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is working on plans to provide local authorities with more financial flexibility on capital and revenue spending, as it seeks to make local roads 'autonomous vehicle ready'.
Speaking at a session of the Transport Select Committee, transport minister Jesse Norman and DfT's head of highways maintenance, Steve Berry, outlined a vision for local roads along with technical developments designed to give authorities the tools.
Mr Norman conceded that local roads were currently 'not in a great state, although it is improving in some regards', before going on to say the department needed to 'up its game'.
'Just a simple example - inadequate markings on local roads. As you move towards autonomous vehicles we are going to need better marked and better lined roads not just on strategic highways but on local roads,' Mr Norman said.
He added that his vision for local roads was a network ready to take autonomous vehicles as this would provide sufficient quality and maintenance for all users.
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