New fund supports development delayed through lack of essential transport infrastructure

National Highways has invited applications from local authorities for a new fund aimed at unlocking stalled housing and employment developments by addressing transport constraints. The Growth and Housing Accelerator (GHA) Fund is intended to address “viability gaps” in developments that already have planning permission but remain on hold due to a lack of funding for necessary infrastructure.

credit: National Highways

The fund builds on earlier funding models and sits within the government’s recently published third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3).

National Highways says the programme is designed to support schemes where development has been delayed because essential transport infrastructure – such as junction upgrades or road links – has not yet been delivered.

National Highways is now seeking proposals for projects located on or near the strategic road network where targeted interventions could enable construction to proceed. Local and mayoral authorities are being asked to identify sites where relatively small-scale transport improvements could unlock significant housing or economic growth.

Under the scheme, funding is expected to be match-funded, typically combining public and private investment to maximise impact. Projects must demonstrate that transport improvements are the primary barrier to delivery and that they are otherwise ready to proceed.

National Highways said the fund will prioritise developments capable of delivering new homes and jobs in the near term, supporting the government’s wider target of building 1.5m homes during the current Parliament.

Authorities have been invited to submit expressions of interest, with a rolling programme of funded schemes expected to be announced from 2026/27 onwards.