Research shows “staggering impact” of traffic jams caused by HS2 works
Construction of the HS2 high-speed rail network has already caused some 200 million hours of traffic jams, according to Daily Telegraph analysis. The figure will continue to grow until the delayed, over-budget project is scheduled to be completed in the early 2040s. Data from the Department for Transport (DfT) shows drivers have had to endure more than […]
Simister Island upgrade gets underway, with ‘years of roadworks’ warning
Work to upgrade one of the busiest junctions in the north west of England at Simister Island north of Manchester has started. Five lanes of traffic and a new link road will be created at Junction 18 of the M60 in a bid to ease congestion, following official confirmation by the Department for Transport (DfT) […]
Oxfordshire councillor says Quiet Lanes are being ‘weaponised’ against drivers
A pilot scheme in Oxfordshire that will see some countryside roads closed to through traffic is not in line with government guidance, the authority behind the plans has admitted. Oxfordshire County Council is proposing the new scheme, known as Quiet Lanes, which will shut 10 roads to traffic using “physical measures” where there is an […]
DfT lane rental conference report signals shift to delivery
The Government’s biggest expansion of lane rental schemes since their introduction more than a decade ago has highlighted growing industry support for the policy, and a promise to deal with concerns over consistency, governance and delivery, says the Transport Technology Forum. Those are the findings from the Department for Transport’s Lane Rental Conference in London, where highway […]
British road casualty numbers show ‘precious little progress’ as injuries increase despite fewer deaths
The Department for Transport has published the latest statistics for reported road casualties in Great Britain for 2025. While fatalities fell by 3% year-on-year, the broader trend remains relatively flat, continuing a decade-long plateau in serious road harm. Particularly concerning, though, was a rise in motorcyclist deaths, which increased 14% compared with the previous year. […]
Applications open for operators to join UK self-driving vehicles pilot scheme
Passengers could be able to book taxi and bus-style self-driving vehicles later this year, as the Government opens applications for operators to run cars across Great Britain. The pilot scheme will enable companies to bring cutting-edge technology to British roads, creating thousands of jobs and unlocking billions for the economy by 2035. Services could enhance […]
DfT appoints TRL as PAS 2161 approvals auditor
TRL has been appointed by the Department for Transport (DfT) as the PAS 2161 approvals auditor, supporting the consistent and independent assessment of road condition monitoring (RCM) technologies across England through to 31 December 2030. Under the contract, TRL will independently assess and approve technology providers to verify that their systems can deliver road condition […]
Landmark report establishes first carbon baseline for England’s local road network
A new report from the Carbon Leadership Programme provides the first ever national baseline of carbon emissions from the maintenance and construction of local roads in England. The report is designed to help local highway authorities save money and increase efficiency by measuring and identifying how to reduce carbon emissions. Launched in June 2025, the […]
A66 dualling scheme ‘to start by end of the year’
The Department for Transport has provided an update on a timetable for the £1.3bn A66 dualling project, According to DfT, National Highways is looking to start construction by the end of 2026. The project, which will see the final single-carriageway stretches of the A66 dualled between Scotch Corner and Penrith, was given the go-aheard in […]
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 […]