A new group comprised of highways-related industry trade bodies and societies has had its first full meeting as an organisation providing a shared voice, the Highways Industry Alliance (HIA).
The HIA brings together ARTSM, ITS (UK), IHE, ISA UK, REMA, BPA and HCTA-a comprehensive range of organisations in the highway sector, incorporating signs, signals and control, highways asset management, all forms of technology and training, skills and qualifications, across all elements of the sector. All have agreed to work together to share knowledge and expertise.
The group’s aim is to make it easier for large public sector organisations such as the Department for Transport, Highways England and devolved governments to have a single point of contact with those organisations involved.
“The HIA is a broad church and we have worked hard to identify the diverse parties that have a common interest in seeing a close liaison between users, industry and government,” said ITS (UK) Secretary General, Jennie Martin. “Our associations and bodies consist of companies across all tiers-large corporations, SME’s and individuals.”
Steve Spender, CEO of the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) said: “We believe we can contribute to the government Industrial Strategy and SME agenda. We also think that contractual practices can often disadvantage small firms in the supply chain and that we can offer these organisations a voice,” he added.
Kealie Franklin, General Secretary of ARTSM said: “Such a UK forum can only be beneficial in future consultations for transport change, being able to prepare our members and provide guidance and support for the government strategies in the ways that only we can.”
The HIA welcomes anyone in the sector wishing to get involved and stresses that it is not its intention to be seen as being in competition with any other organisations within the sector. The HIA believes that collaboration across different member organisations provides a forum to aid Government in making decisions for the good of the entire sector, and ultimately, the travelling public.
