Well-Managed Highway Infrastructure: A Code of Practice
(2026 Update)

Consultation Open: 14 May to 7 June 2026

UKRLG invites stakeholders across the highways sector to participate in the consultation on the update to the Well-Managed Highway Infrastructure: A Code of Practice.

This consultation provides an opportunity to review the draft update and provide feedback to inform the final version of the Code.

About the Update

The purpose of this update is to review and refresh the 2016 Code of Practice, ensuring it remains relevant and applicable in the context of current and emerging sector challenges. This is not a fundamental rewrite of the Code, but a targeted update building on existing principles and practice.

The draft has been developed through collaborative input from across the sector, including DfT, UKRLG and a Steering Group and Working Groups with practitioners and subject matter experts.

Respond to the Consultation

The consultation draft is available here: View document

Practitioners are invited to provide feedback via the consultation survey: Well-Managed Highway Infrastructure: A Code of Practice – Consultation for 2026 Update

Privacy Notice on personal data collection: View document

How the Code is Evolving

Continuation of a Risk-Based Approach: The 2026 Code will retain the risk-based approach introduced in 2016, rather than defining minimum service levels.

Expanded scope aligned to post-2016 change: The Code continues to link directly to the Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Guidance and strengthens alignment with the Code’s four core objectives: safety, serviceability, sustainability and customer service.
It also introduces new content areas, including carbon management, artificial intelligence and climate resilience, alongside the addition of Part E – Tunnels (not included in the consultation draft).

An updated coherent and aligned structure: The 2026 update adopts a common structure and shared framework across the Code making it clearer to navigate and easier to apply consistently across assets.

2016 vs. 2026 Code Contents and Structure

2016 Code

Part A

  • Introduction
  • Policy Framework
  • Legal Framework
  • Strategy and Hierarchy
  • Risk-Based Approach
  • Network Resilience
  • Performance Management 
  • Finance, Management, Priorities and Programming
  • Sustainability
  • Procurement

Asset Parts

  • Introduction to Part B 
  • Legal Framework 
  • Asset Management Information
  • Asset Condition and Investigatory Levels
  • Inspection, Assessment and Recording
  • Programming and Priorities
  • Winter Service (Part B)

2026 Code

Part A

  • Scope of the Code of Practice
  • Legal Framework
  • Network Strategy
  • Risk-Based Approach
  • Network Knowledge
  • Resilience and Adaptation 
  • Finance and Investment 
  • Sustainability 
  • Procurement and Delivery

Asset Parts

  • Scope of Part B, C, D & E
  • Legal Framework
  • Asset Strategy
  • Risk-Based Approach
  • Asset Knowledge
  • Resilience and Adaptation 
  • Finance and Investment 
  • Sustainability 
  • Winter Service (Part B)

Next Steps

Following the close of consultation, feedback will be reviewed and collated, and proposed changes will be considered and draft Code will be updated. The final Code of Practice is expected to be published in Autumn 2026, followed by a programme of implementation and embedment activities, including supporting workshops.

If you have any issues of questions, please contact the project team at: ukrlgcodeofpractice@atkinsrealis.com