Source: Local Economies (UK)
Author: Vicky Maggiani
Date published: 2026-04-29
[original article can be accessed via hyperlink at the end]
The Department for Transport has officially opened the Structures Fund, a significant new source of capital for addressing England’s deteriorating road infrastructure.
As of 15 April 2026, local authorities across England are invited to bid for funding to renew and restore critical elements of the national transport network, including bridges, flyovers, and tunnels. The fund forms a central pillar of the government’s broader commitment to infrastructure investment, reflected in a record £1 billion package dedicated to enhancing the reliability and performance of England’s roads.
This intervention comes in response to years of protracted underinvestment, with many key structures suffering from age, excessive use, and heightened vulnerability to extreme weather. The resulting weight restrictions and closures have created operational inefficiencies for businesses and inconvenience for communities, highlighting the pressing need for comprehensive structural renewal. The new Structures Fund is designed to empower councils to undertake repairs and upgrades that have previously been beyond their financial reach, thereby bolstering economic activity and safeguarding local connectivity.
Significantly, the government has appointed engineering consultancy WSP to provide all applicants with complimentary support, including cost review and assistance with delivery planning. This initiative aims to ensure councils can submit competitive, robust applications. Draft proposals are encouraged by 19 June 2026, allowing applicants to receive early feedback and strengthen their submissions ahead of the definitive deadline on 3 August 2026. The government will offer detailed guidance, host informational webinars throughout April and May, and release application decisions in Autumn 2026. All projects receiving funds are expected to reach completion by March 2030.
This funding sits within the wider allocation confirmed during the 2025 Spending Review, which earmarked £24 billion for roads and rail maintenance—the largest such commitment in decades. This builds on the £7.3 billion already directed toward local highway authorities to address pothole repairs and surface improvements over the next four years. Additionally, new accountability measures require councils to demonstrate tangible improvements in road conditions or risk reductions in funding, with special support to be provided for those authorities deemed to be underperforming.
For industry stakeholders—including contractors, engineering consultants, suppliers of bridge and tunnel components, and those offering infrastructure resilience solutions—the Structures Fund represents immediate and significant opportunities. Early engagement with local councils, alignment with government standards, and readiness to deliver best-value propositions will be key in securing work under this programme. Suppliers and service providers seeking to expand their footprint in the UK market are advised to monitor announcement timelines and strengthen relationships with local authorities now preparing their bids.
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