A plan to turn the Highways Agency into a government-owned company could save taxpayers £2.6 billion over ten years.

It has launched a consultation today (October 29th) to gain public opinions on the matter - it will run until December 20th with the final outcome reported in spring next year.

These changes form the next step outlined in the Action for Roads command paper, published earlier in 2013, which aims to improve the network.

Roads minister Robert Goodwill said the government will invest £50 billion into roads over the next 15 years and, as a result, needs to make sure it is spent wisely.

He said: "Efficiency savings are there to be made, but to secure these means changing how our motorways and trunk roads are managed and maintained."

As a result, he has also proposed setting up an independent watchdog authority, separate from the government, to ensure the agency fulfills its objectives.