Company registration number 04918712 (England and Wales)
SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
Directors
David Davies
Matthew Edwards
John George
Josh Bond
Secretary
Infrastructure Managers Limited
Company number
04918712
Registered office
8th Floor
6 Kean Street
London
WC2B 4AS
Independent auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Atria One
144 Morrison Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8EX
Bankers
National Westminster Bank plc
Leicester Customer Service Centre
11 Western Boulevard
Bede Island
LE2 7EJ
SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Directors' report
1 - 2
Directors' responsibilities statement
3
Independent auditors' report
4 - 7
Statement of comprehensive income
8
Statement of financial position
9
Statement of changes in equity
10
Notes to the financial statements
11 - 21
SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 1 -

The directors present their annual report and the audited financial statements of Sheppey Route Limited ("the Company") for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Principal activities

The principal objectives of the Company are to operate and maintain the Roadway Concession in line with the contracted terms. In doing so the Company intends to ensure that the full amount of income is collected in the form of Congestion Management Payments as entitled under the contract.

 

On 19 February 2004, the Company entered into a design, build, finance and operate ('DBFO') contract with the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions relating to a section of the A249 Iwade Bypass to Queensborough Improvement scheme as well as the operation and maintenance of the existing A249 between Junction 5 of the M2 and the dock entrance at the Port of Sheerness under the Government's Private Finance Initiative ("PFI"). The contract is in the operational phase and in year 19 of its term expiring in 2034.

Results and dividends

The results for the year are set out on page 8.

 

The profit for the financial year, after taxation, amounted to £2,838k (2024: profit of £2,363k).

 

The directors are satisfied with the overall performance of the Company and do not foresee any significant change in the Company's activities in the coming financial year.

The directors chose to declare no dividends in the year (2024: £nil). The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.

Directors

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

David Davies
Matthew Edwards
John George
Josh Bond
Qualifying third party indemnity provisions

The company has made qualifying third party indemnity provisions for the benefit of its directors during the year. These provisions remain in force at the reporting date.

Independent auditors

The independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, are deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

Statement of disclosure to auditors

In the case of each director in office at the date the Directors' report is approved:

 

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 2 -
Key performance indicator

The performance of the Company from a cash perspective is assessed six monthly by the testing of the covenants of the senior debt provider, the key indicator being the debt service cover ratio. The Company has been performing well and has been compliant with the covenants laid out in the loan agreement.

 

Climate change

The directors recognise that it is important to disclose their view of the impact of climate change on the Company. The Company's key operational contracts are long-term and with a small number of known counterparties. In most cases, the cashflows from these contracts can be predicted with reasonable certainty for at least the medium-term. Having considered the Company's operations, its contracted rights and obligations and forecast cash flows, there is not expected to be a significant impact upon the Company's operational or financial performance arising from climate change.

Going concern

These financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis for the reasons set out in the Accounting Policies (note 1).

 

Small companies exemption

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. Exemption has also been taken from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report.

 

This report was approved by the board of directors on 21 May 2026 and signed by order of the board by:
Chris Richardson
For and on behalf of Infrastructure Managers Limited
Secretary
21 May 2026
SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 3 -

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" Section 1A, and applicable law).

Under company law, directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

 

The directors are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

 

The directors are also responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.

 

The financial statements were approved and signed by the directors and authorised for issue on 21 May 2026.

 

 

 

 

David Davies

Director        

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
TO THE MEMBER OF SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 4 -
Report on the audit of the financial statements
Opinion

In our opinion, Sheppey Route Limited's financial statements:

 

 

We have audited the financial statements, included within the Annual Report and Financial Statements (the "Annual Report"), which comprise:

 

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) ("ISAs (UK)") and applicable law. Our responsibilities under ISAs (UK) are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

 

Independence

We remained independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, which includes the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements.

Conclusions relating to going concern

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

 

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

 

However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this conclusion is not a guarantee as to the company's ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBER OF SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 5 -

Reporting on other information

The other information comprises all of the information in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our auditors' report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion or, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in this report, any form of assurance thereon.

 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify an apparent material inconsistency or material misstatement, we are required to perform procedures to conclude whether there is a material misstatement of the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report based on these responsibilities.

 

With respect to the Directors' report, we also considered whether the disclosures required by the UK Companies Act 2006 have been included.

 

Based on our work undertaken in the course of the audit, the Companies Act 2006 requires us also to report certain opinions and matters as described below.

Directors' report

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit, the information given in the Directors' report for the year ended 31 December 2025 is consistent with the financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

 

In light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we did not identify any material misstatements in the Directors' report.

Responsibilities for the financial statements and the audit
Responsibilities of the directors for the financial statements

As explained more fully in the Directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the applicable framework and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. The directors are also responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

 

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditors' report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBER OF SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 6 -

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

 

Based on our understanding of the company and industry, we identified that the principal risks of non­-compliance with laws and regulations related to Companies Act 2006 and UK tax legislation, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect on the financial statements. We evaluated management's incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements (including the risk of override of controls), and determined that the principal risks were related to inappropriate journal entries and the risk of management bias in accounting estimates. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

 

 

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the FRC's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditors' report.

Use of this report

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only for the company's members as a body in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

 

Other required reporting

 

Companies Act 2006 exception reporting

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:

 

 

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBER OF SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 7 -

Entitlement to exemptions

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion, the directors were not entitled to: prepare financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime; take advantage of the small companies exemption in preparing the Directors' report; and take advantage of the small companies exemption from preparing a strategic report. We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Kelly Macfarlane (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
Edinburgh
21 May 2026
SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 8 -
2025
2024
Notes
£000
£000
Turnover
3
6,632
5,633
Cost of sales
(3,722)
(3,533)
Gross profit
2,910
2,100
Administrative expenses
(545)
(579)
Operating profit
2,365
1,521
Interest receivable and similar income
6
4,413
4,691
Interest payable and similar expenses
7
(2,994)
(3,200)
Profit before taxation
3,784
3,012
Taxation on profit
8
(946)
(649)
Profit for the financial year
2,838
2,363
Other comprehensive (expense)/income
Fair value (loss)/gain on cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax
(95)
992
Total comprehensive income for the year
2,743
3,355

All the activities of the company are from continuing operations.

The notes on pages 11 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2025
31 December 2025
- 9 -
2025
2024
Notes
£000
£000
£000
£000
Current assets
Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
9
7,426
5,739
Debtors: amounts falling due after more than one year
9
47,950
52,534
Investments
10
8,644
13,163
Cash at bank and in hand
7,655
1,453
71,675
72,889
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
11
(9,398)
(9,590)
Net current assets
62,277
63,299
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
12
(35,703)
(40,346)
Provisions for liabilities
Provisions
15
(10,722)
(9,844)
(10,722)
(9,844)
Net assets
15,852
13,109
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
16
50
50
Hedging reserve
(1,104)
(1,009)
Profit and loss reserve
16,906
14,068
Total shareholders' funds
15,852
13,109

The notes on pages 11 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

In the prior year Current asset investments of £13,163K were not shown separately on the face of the Statement of financial position from Cash at bank and in hand of £1,453K. The presentation has been changed and comparatives retrospectively restated to split the previously reported balance of £14,616K between Current asset investments and Cash at bank and in hand.                                        

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 21 May 2026 and are signed on its behalf by:
David Davies
Director
Company registration number 04918712 (England and Wales)
SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 10 -
Called up share capital
Hedging reserve
Profit and loss reserve
Total
£000
£000
£000
£000
Balance at 1 January 2024
50
(2,001)
11,705
9,754
Year ended 31 December 2024:
Profit for the financial year
-
-
2,363
2,363
Other comprehensive income:
Fair value movements on cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax
-
992
-
992
Total comprehensive income for the year
-
992
2,363
3,355
Balance at 31 December 2024
50
(1,009)
14,068
13,109
Year ended 31 December 2025:
Profit for the financial year
-
-
2,838
2,838
Other comprehensive income:
Fair value movements on cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax
-
(95)
-
(95)
Total comprehensive income for the year
-
(95)
2,838
2,743
Balance at 31 December 2025
50
(1,104)
16,906
15,852
Included in the fair value movement on cash flow hedging instrument is £198k (2024: £(3)k) that was recycled through Interest Payable in the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

The notes on pages 11 to 21 form part of these financial statements.

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 11 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information

Sheppey Route Limited ("the Company") is a private company limited by shares incorporated in the United Kingdom and is registered in England and Wales. The registered office is located at 8th Floor, 6 Kean Street, London, WC2B 4AS.

The principal objectives of the Company are to operate and maintain the Roadway Concession in line with the contracted terms. In doing so the Company intends to ensure that the full amount of income is collected in the form of Congestion Management Payments as entitled under the contract.

 

On 19 February 2004, the Company entered into a design, build, finance and operate ('DBFO') contract with the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions relating to a section of the A249 Iwade Bypass to Queensborough Improvement scheme as well as the operation and maintenance of the existing A249 between Junction 5 of the M2 and the dock entrance at the Port of Sheerness under the Government's Private Finance Initiative ("PFI"). The contract is in the operational phase and in year 19 of its term expiring in 2034.

1.1
Accounting convention

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The disclosure requirements of Section 1A of FRS 102 have been applied other than where additional disclosure is required to show a true and fair view.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £000.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below and have been consistently applied to the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

1.2
Going concern

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis which the directors believe to be appropriate for the following reasons.

 

The Company prepares cash flow forecasts covering the expected life of the asset and so including the 12 month period from the date the financial statements are signed. In drawing up these forecasts, the Directors have made assumptions based upon their view of the current and future economic conditions that will prevail over the forecast period. Based on these forecasts the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

 

In light of this, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the Company's annual financial statements.

1.3
Turnover

Turnover represents the services' share of the management services income received by the Company for the provision of a PFI (Private Finance Initiative) asset to the customer. This income is received over the life of the concession period. Management service income is allocated between turnover, finance debtor interest and reimbursement of the finance debtor so as to generate a constant rate of return in respect of the finance debtor over the life of the contract.

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 12 -
1.4
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

 

The Company is obligated to keep cash reserves as at the balance sheet date in respect of requirements in the company's funding agreements. This restricted cash balance, which is shown within Current asset investments (2024: "cash at bank and in hand") amounts to £12,261K (2024: £9,480K).

1.5
Financial instruments

The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

 

Financial instruments are recognised in the Company's Statement of financial position when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors, cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and debtors are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Other financial assets

Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in the Statement of comprehensive income, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship.

Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.

 

Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

 

If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.

Derecognition of financial assets

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

Classification of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 13 -
Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Other financial liabilities

Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value at each reporting date. The fair values of the derivatives have been calculated by discounting the fixed cash flows at forecasted forward interest rates over the term of the financial instrument. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.

 

Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.6
Equity instruments

Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company.

1.7
Hedge accounting

The Company has entered into an arrangement with third parties that is designed to hedge future cash flows arising on variable rate interest loan arrangements, with the net effect of exchanging the cash flows arising under those arrangements for a stream of fixed interest cash flows ("interest rate swaps").

 

To qualify for hedge accounting, documentation is prepared specifying the hedging strategy, the component transactions and methodology used for effectiveness measurement. Changes in the carrying value of financial instruments that are designated and effective as hedges of future cash flows ("cash flow hedges") are recognised directly in a hedging reserve in equity and any ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the Statement of comprehensive income. Amounts deferred in equity in respect of cash flow hedges are subsequently recognised in the Statement of comprehensive income in the same period in which the hedged item affects net profit or loss or the hedging relationship is terminated and the underlying position being hedged has been extinguished.

 

As described in note 13, the Company's, borrowings and hedge agreements are linked to SONIA.

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 14 -

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recognised in the Statement of comprehensive income immediately, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk.

For derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the hedge is recognised in other comprehensive income. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

 

Any gain or loss previously recognised in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss when the hedge relationship ends. This occurs when the hedging instrument expires or no longer meets the hedging criteria, the forecast transaction is no longer highly probable, the hedged debt instrument is derecognised, or the hedging instrument is terminated.

1.8
Taxation

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

Current tax

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the Statement of comprehensive income because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the company has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.

1.9
Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the company has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the company will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

 

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting end date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation is recognised at present value. When a provision is measured at present value, the unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost in profit or loss in the period in which it arises.

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 15 -
1.10
Finance debtor

When the company acts as a lessor, a lease is classified as a finance lease whenever it transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee, either at the end of the lease term or for the major part of the economic life of the asset. All other leases are classified as operating leases. If an arrangement contains both lease and non-lease components, the company allocates the consideration in the contract to the two elements.

2
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows:

Fair value of derivative contracts

Fair values for derivative contracts are based on mark-to-market valuations provided by the contract counterparty. Whilst these can be tested for reasonableness, the exact valuation methodology and forecast assumptions for future interest rates or inflation rates are specific to the counterparty.

Service concession contract

Accounting for the service concession contract and finance debtor requires estimation of service margin, finance debtor interest rates and associated amortisation profile which is based on projected trading results to the end of the contract.

3
Turnover
2025
2024
£000
£000
Turnover analysed by class of business
Rendering of service
6,632
5,633

The whole of the turnover is attributable to the principal activity of the Company wholly undertaken in the United Kingdom.

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 16 -
4
Auditors' remuneration
2025
2024
Fees payable to the Company's auditors and associates:
£000
£000
For audit services
Audit of the financial statements of the Company
11
8

Audit fees of £2,880 (2024: £2,770) were paid on behalf of the Company's parent, Sheppey Route (Holdings) Limited.

5
Employees

The average number of persons employed by the Company during the financial year amounted to nil (2024: nil). The directors are not employed by the Company and receive remuneration from another company for their services as directors of this entity and a number of fellow subsidiaries. It is not possible to make an accurate apportionment of their remuneration in respect of each of the subsidiaries.

 

6
Interest receivable and similar income
2025
2024
£000
£000
Interest income
Interest on bank deposits
432
404
Interest received on finance debtor
3,981
4,279
Other interest income
-
8
4,413
4,691
7
Interest payable and similar expenses
2025
2024
£000
£000
Interest on bank overdrafts and loans
2,357
2,732
Interest payable to group undertakings
626
468
Other interest payable and similar expenses
11
-
0
2,994
3,200
SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 17 -
8
Taxation on profit
2025
2024
£000
£000
Current tax
UK corporation tax on profits for the current year
946
740
Adjustments in respect of prior periods
-
0
(119)
Total current tax
946
621
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences
-
0
28
Total taxation charge
946
649

The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

2025
2024
£000
£000
Profit before taxation
3,784
3,012
Expected tax charge based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25.00% (2024: 25.00%)
946
753
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
-
0
15
Adjustments in respect of prior years
-
0
(119)
Taxation charge for the year
946
649
9
Debtors
2025
2024
Amounts falling due within one year:
£000
£000
Trade debtors
1,457
38
Finance debtor
4,616
4,296
Other debtors
12
21
Prepayments and accrued income
1,341
1,384
7,426
5,739
SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
9
Debtors
(Continued)
- 18 -
2025
2024
Amounts falling due after more than one year:
£000
£000
Finance debtor
47,582
52,198
Deferred tax asset (note 14)
368
336
47,950
52,534
Total debtors
55,376
58,273

Cumulative finance costs of £941K (2024: £941K) have been capitalised into the finance debtor. Other debtors relate to recharges recoverable from National Highways Limited.

10
Current asset investments
2025
2024
£000
£000
Short term deposits
8,644
13,163

Current asset investments are made up of amounts placed on bank deposit which will mature between 15 January 2026 and 27 March 2026 (2025: 2 January and 25 March) with an average interest rate of 2.47% (2025: 3.17%). On maturity, this will generate interest on bank deposits of £107K (2025:£156K) of which, £56K (2025: 94K) is included within the prepayments and accrued income balance.    

 

In the prior year Current asset investments of £13,163K were not disclosed separately.                                                

                                

                                                

11
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
Notes
£000
£000
Bank loans
13
4,770
4,984
Trade creditors
469
708
Amounts owed to group undertakings
2,086
2,037
Corporation tax
718
109
Other taxation and social security
620
539
Accruals and deferred income
735
1,213
9,398
9,590

Amounts owed to group undertakings as at 31 December 2025 relates to accrued but unpaid interest in respect of the loan notes.

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 19 -
12
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
2025
2024
Notes
£000
£000
Bank loans
13
29,323
34,093
Other borrowings
13
4,908
4,908
Derivative financial instruments
1,472
1,345
35,703
40,346
Creditors which fall due after five years are payable as follows:
Payable by instalments
10,859
18,250

Other borrowings relate to loans from group undertakings, as detailed in note 12.

13
Loans and overdrafts
2025
2024
£000
£000
Bank loans
34,093
39,077
Loans from group undertakings
4,908
4,908
39,001
43,985
Payable within one year
4,770
4,984
Payable after one year
34,231
39,001

Bank loans relate to two loan facilities granted by the bank for a total value of £103,935K comprising £94,432K by way of a senior loan and £3,106K by way of a mezzanine loan. As at 31 December 2025 the balance of the senior loan was £32,396K (2024: £37,220K) and the balance of the mezzanine loan was £1,697K (2024: £1,857K). The senior and mezzanine loans are repayable in six-monthly instalments, in March and September, with the final repayment due on 30 September 2032. The senior loans bears interest at SONIA plus a spread of 0.2766% and a margin of 0.95%, with the mezzanine debt paying a rate of SONIA plus a spread of 0.2766% plus a margin of 5%. The Company has entered into four interest rate swap arrangements, receiving SONIA plus a ·spread of 0.2766% and paying interest fixed at 5.375% on the notional balances each roll over period, hence fixing the total interest payable on the senior loan to 6.325% per annum and 5.0% on the mezzanine loan. Interest is payable on both loans on a six-monthly basis in March and September. The facilities are secured by a first legal mortgage over any freehold property; a first fixed charge over any freehold property or leasehold property, investments, plant and machinery, credit balances (except those secured by a prior fixed charge), book debts, other contracts, insurance, intellectual property, uncalled capital and goodwill of the Company and by a first floating charge over all its assets.

 

Loans from group undertakings represent Coupon bearing Investment sums issued by the Company to the immediate parent company, Sheppey Route (Holdings) Limited in February 2004 (£5,955K) and February 2007 (£379K). The total investment bears a coupon of 12.75% per annum and capital falls due by way of semi-annual instalments, with the final payment falling due on 30 September 2033. The coupon on the principal amount accrues daily and is payable in cash on 31 March and 30 September each year. The investment sum was advanced under a subordinated loan agreement and is therefore unsecured and would rank alongside ordinary creditors in the event of winding up.

SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
- 20 -
14
Deferred taxation

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the company and movements thereon:

Assets
Assets
2025
2024
Balances:
£000
£000
Derivative Financial instruments
368
336
2025
Movements in the year:
£000
Asset at 1 January 2025
(336)
Credit to other comprehensive income
(32)
Asset at 31 December 2025
(368)
15
Provisions for liabilities
2025
2024
£000
£000
Lifecycle provision
10,722
9,844

 

Movements on provisions:
£000
At 1 January 2025
9,844
Additional provisions in the year
878
At 31 December 2025
10,722

Lifecycle Provision

The lifecycle provision relates to costs expected to be incurred to maintain the road over the duration of the contract. Maintenance costs are expected to be incurred throughout the contracts duration as determined by the agreement between Sheppey Route Limited and National Highways Limited.

16
Called up share capital
2025
2024
2025
2024
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£000
£000
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary Shares of £1 each
50,000
50,000
50
50
SHEPPEY ROUTE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
16
Called up share capital
(Continued)
- 21 -

There is a single class of ordinary share. There are no restrictions on the distribution of dividends and the repayment of capital.

17
Related party transactions

The following disclosures are with entities related to ultimate shareholders:

 

The company paid £261K (2024: £251K) to BIIF Bidco Limited for the provision of directors and the provision of management services. At the year end £32K (2024: £127K) remained outstanding.

 

The company paid £58K (2024: £54K) to Infrastructure Investments General Partner Limited for the provision of directors. As at 31 December 2025 £43K (2024: £164K) was outstanding.

18
Ultimate controlling party

The immediate parent undertaking and controlling party is Sheppey Route (Holdings) Limited. The accounts of Sheppey Route (Holdings) Limited are registered at 8th Floor, 6 Kean Street, London, WC2B 4AS and can be obtained from the registrar of Companies House. No other Group Financial Statements include the results of Company.

As at 31 December 2025 Sheppey Route (Holdings) Limited share capital is jointly owned 50% by BIIF Holdco Ill Limited and 50% by Infrastructure Investments (Roads) Limited. Accordingly there is no overall parent company and no ultimate controlling party.

19
Auditors' liability limitation agreement

The directors have agreed with the company's auditors that the auditor's liability to damages for breach of duty in relation to the audit of the company's financial statements for the year to 31 December 2025 should be limited to the greater of £5 million or 5 times the auditor's fees, and that in any event the auditor's liability for damages should be limited to that part of any loss suffered by the company as is just and equitable having regard to the extent to which the auditor, the company and any third parties are responsible for the loss in question. The shareholders approved this limited liability agreement, as required by the Companies Act 2006, by a resolution dated 12 February 2026.

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