Designated Funds gives extra value to our stakeholders and communities and goes beyond the work we undertake as a road operator.
RIS3 Designated Funds
The Government has published its Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS 3): 2026-2031. In the coming months, we'll publish our Strategic Business Plan and Delivery Plan, which will provide detailed information on how RIS3 will be delivered, including the Designated Funds programme, alongside guidance on how funding can be applied for.
Our Designated Funds programme will support targeted investment that delivers benefits beyond our core road operations, maintenance, renewals and enhancements activities. The programme provides a flexible way to invest in projects and initiatives that benefit customers, communities and the environment.
The programme will be structured around four funds:
Safety
Improving safety for users and workers on the Strategic Road Network is a key RIS3 priority. This fund supports targeted, small-scale safety interventions, aligned with wider activities supported by other investment and the Safe System approach. The fund will deliver network interventions to improve safety on high-risk roads, including post collision response and suicide prevention.
Enquiries relating to potential funding opportunities should be directed to the Safety sponsor team.
Environment
Several activities which were previously funded through the Environment Designated Fund are now integrated into the requirement of scheme development or undertaken through operations, maintenance and renewals. In the third road period, interventions through this fund will focus on delivering a range of environmental activities, working in partnership with local authorities and other stakeholders. These could include responding to air quality obligations, supporting carbon reduction, including of road users, habitat improvement and flood management.
Enquiries relating to potential funding opportunities should be directed to the Environment sponsor team.
Customer and Communities
While a vital piece of Britain’s infrastructure, the SRN can impact the communities and environments it runs alongside. There are also users of the network who have particular needs, where investment could enhance their experience of the network. The Customer and Communities Fund will focus on interventions to benefit people and communities. This includes focusing on active travel, accessibility of the network and services, improving the experience of freight operators and drivers when using the SRN, including freight roadside facilities, and leaving a positive legacy for communities.
Enquiries relating to potential funding opportunities should be directed to the relevant sponsor team:
Innovation and Research
RIS3 comes at a time when the requirements of our roads and the users of the roads are evolving at pace, with increasing opportunities for technology, innovation, and environmental advances across all National Highways’ activities. This fund will deliver a range of activities, through investment in innovation and research to support long-term strategic commitments, such as decarbonisations and better customer experience.
Enquiries relating to potential funding opportunities should be directed to the Innovation and Research sponsor team.
For general enquiries relating to Designated Funds, please contact: DesignatedFundScheme@nationalhighways.co.uk
"Since its launch in 2015, Designated Funds has enabled us to go beyond the traditional scope of road investment, supporting projects such as cycling schemes, environmental enhancements, and innovation. In the second Roads Period, the programme evolved with a more targeted approach, contributing significantly to key performance indicators like biodiversity and noise reduction. We are committed to ensuring the network meets the needs of our customers and communities while minimising negative impacts. Designated Funds continues to play a vital role in helping us achieve that. "Susan Standley, Head of Designated Funds
Celebrating 10 years of Designated Funds
In 2025, we celebrated 10 years of our Designated Funds programme. Between 2015 and 2025, we invested in over 5,000 projects that have improved lives and helped minimise the impact on road use on the world around us.
