The introduction of the new Infrastructure Bill is set to bring about some major reforms to the management of the UK transport network and this process moved a step closer to completion this month with a second reading of the legislation in parliament.

As part of the transformation of the Highways Agency into a fully government-owned body, this latest reading has revealed the name of the organisation will be changed from April next year to Highways England.

Roads minister John Hayes said: "This government is making a transformational £15 billion worth of improvements to our road network between now and 2021.

"It is only right that the new government-owned company has a name that reflects its new role, as a road operator that delivers a fast, efficient and better service for road users and the country."

Overall, Highways England will be responsible for the management of more than 100 new transport network improvements that were announced as part of a further £2.6 billion investment in the nation's roads over the next ten years.

At the same time, its future performance in this area is to be overseen by the current Office for Rail Regulation – that is also becoming the nation's strategic road network monitor in the years ahead.

The interests of users of the UK's transport network are also set to be more strongly represented when the new Infrastructure Bill is brought into effect, as Passenger Focus (the current rail user body) will also see its responsibilities expanded to cover all road users, while also changing its name to Transport Focus in order to reflect this new role.

Following the completion of this latest stage of legislator approval, the bill is now expected to achieve Royal Assent by the end of March next year.