OPINION: 2024: future trends, desirable outcomes
By Brian Kent, National Technical Director, Tarmac As people, we can sometimes expect the future to be radically different to the present, but we need to be realistic. With that in mind, I’m not going to try and future gaze too far ahead but instead, look briefly at the emerging trends, issues and desirable outcomes […]
Westminster Council paves the way with new recycled roads
Westminster City Council and FM Conway has completed a carbon-neutral initiative in Elmfield Way, Westminster, using 92% recycled materials for a new road surface, the highest percentage ever used on a UK road. In collaboration with the council, FM Conway upgraded the road and footways using low-carbon techniques, resulting in a 78% total carbon saving, […]
Sandwell Council receives extra £509,000 funding as part of Network North fund
Sandwell Council has welcomed £509,000 funding as part of the Government’s Network North fund, an £8.3billion commitment to highways maintenance across England. This money will be spent on resurfacing roads, cycleways and footways and maintaining bridges, as well as preventing potholes and other road defects. Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways, Councillor Danny […]
New blog series: Stop reacting: proactively prevent and save with Predictor
In the first of a series of quarterly blogs, Brightly Software explains how asset management problems can be predicted before they even happen. Digital tool Predictor, part of the Brightly Software suite, is helping councils to predict problems before they arise; prioritise where to place funds, and make strategic, data-driven decisions to implement processes and […]
Six companies awarded contracts to carry out highways work in West Sussex
Six companies have been awarded contracts totalling more than £20million to carry out highways work in West Sussex. The county council contracts for 2024/25 cover areas such as resurfacing and patching roads, reconstructing and resurfacing footpaths, drainage schemes, crossings and signals. Landbuild Ltd will cover the Bus Services Improvement Plan, highway improvements, crossings and signals, […]
Investment into innovative road repair machinery showcased in Harpole
The JCB Pothole Pro, an innovative machine set to slash time and costs for road repairs, has been demonstrated in Harpole as part of West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) long-term vision to improve the road network across the area. Upper High Street, Harpole from Nobottle Road to the village was closed from 28 November to 1 […]
Communities asking to deliver ‘minor’ highways improvements has cross-party support in Devon
Communities who ask to use their own money to make minor improvements to roads in their area will soon be able to do so in Devon after the council’s cabinet gave a trial scheme the go-ahead. Self-delivery schemes could be for a 20mph zone or traffic calming for instance. The Devon cabinet approved recommendations for […]
Hertfordshire County Council starts search for contractor for new highways term maintenance contract
Hertfordshire County Council has started its search for a new highways term maintenance contractor. In a contractor which could be worth £1,950,000,000 over 12 years, the service provider will be expected to ‘innovate and maximise potential for success.’ The authority intends to focus on the following: • A service delivered in line with Hertfordshire’s Sustainability […]
Investing in surface dressing saves councils’ money in the long-term, says REA
The latest additional money (2023/24) for highway maintenance should be spent on preparation for surface dressing, to help prevent potholes forming in the future, and less money being spent on fixing them. In subsequent years (2024/25 onwards), the additional money should be invested into surface dressing and other preventative maintenance treatments. These are the thoughts […]
Road repair schemes in Devon to benefit from extra funding
More than 65 road repair schemes in Devon are being brought forward with additional funding recently announced by Government. The council is receiving an extra £6.663 million for highway maintenance this financial year. The money is a share of the Government’s £8.3 billion investment in roads over the next 11 years using funds redirected from […]