Live Labs 2 enters Year 4 with new Triage service for local authorities
A new service has been launched that gives local highway authorities direct access to expertise and guidance from the UK’s largest local roads innovation programme. ADEPT Live Labs 2 will be offering monthly drop-in ‘Triage’ sessions to highways teams, providing practical guidance on adopting low carbon approaches, insights into the projects and tailored signposting to […]
ADEPT: Structures Fund is an important and welcome step
ADEPT (Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport) has welcomed the opening of the government’s new Structures Fund. James Bailey, ADEPT Chair, said: “We welcome the opening of the government’s new Structures Fund – ADEPT’s National Bridges Group has worked closely with DfT since the fund was first announced to help shape something […]
ADEPT responds to new Government pothole announcement
David Shepherd, Chair of the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT)’s Transport & Connectivity Board, has issued a response to the government’s recent announcement on pothole investment. “We welcome the government’s commitment to accountability and to ensuring investment in local roads delivers real improvements for drivers,” he said. “Multi-year funding certainty […]
ADEPT responds to government’s proposed planning reforms
The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) has submitted its response to the government’s consultation on Proposed Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Other Changes to the Planning System (December 2025). Angela Jones, President of ADEPT said: “ADEPT welcomes the government’s ambition to modernise the planning system and […]
Live Labs 2 gets further funding
The government has announced the extension of the Live Labs 2 programme for another year. It’s providing up to £300,000 to help councils access and adopt more innovative approaches to maintenance, including uptake of longer-lasting, low-carbon materials for repairing roads faster, more efficiently and far less often. It explains these materials can unlock savings for […]
ADEPT Leadership Development Programme 2026: deadline approaching
As part of its commitment to maximising sustainable growth in communities throughout the UK, ADEPT launched a high level Leadership Development Programme for aspiring Directors of Place in late 2018. The programme is open to all local authority and combined authority members of ADEPT and has proved very popular. This course is designed for Directors, […]
ADEPT celebrates 140 years of place based leadership
The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) has marked its 140th anniversary with the publication of an exclusive collection of essays, reflecting on the evolution of place leadership and exploring the challenges and innovations shaping the future of the sector. The essays, titled Leading Places: essays from past, present and future […]
Live Labs 2 launches knowledge bank
North Lanarkshire Council and their partners, Amey, announce the launch of their Knowledge Bank, a new open-source digital platform designed to support local authorities in their efforts to decarbonise the local roads network. The platform offers access to peer reviews of public sector materials and enables users to share case studies. By fostering collaboration and transparency, […]
Recycled plastic technology used on UK road for first time
A road in Motherwell has become the first in the UK to trial a new technology which uses recycled plastic to reduce the bitumen content in asphalt. As part of the Live Labs 2 programme, a three-year long, UK-wide, £30 million project, funded by the Department for Transport and launched by ADEPT, aimed at decarbonising the […]
ADEPT issues statement on the National Audit Office’s Home to School Transport report
Ann Carruthers, the Immediate Past President of ADEPT (Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport), has issued a statement in response to the National Audit Office’s Home to School Transport report. “Home to school transport is an invaluable service without which many children simply could not access education,” she says. “ADEPT welcomes the […]