DfT “minded to refuse” A303 dualling plans
A decision on plans to upgrade the A303 in Somerset has been put back to November while the Department for Transport considers safety issues around the scheme. Local newspaper the Chard and Illminster News reports that the DfT is “minded to refuse” the designs because they involve the digging of new ponds near RNAS Yeovilton, […]
M20 Operation Brock work getting underway
Work to install a moveable barrier on the M20 designed to cope with cross-channel disruption is getting underway in Kent. The Operation Brock work involves installing a Moveable Barrier System to be deployed when required as part of a contraflow to permit the motorway and junctions to remain open if there are problems at the […]
HE announces A12 preferred route
Highways England has given details of its plans to widen the A12 in Essex between just north of Chelmsford and south of Colchester to three lanes. It says the preferred route is based on its 2017 consultation routes and has been selected based on several factors including environmental impact, journey times, complexity of build, affordability, […]
HE explains A14 junction traffic signal outage
Highways England has taken to Facebook to explain to people in Cambridgeshire why traffic lights are currently off on a busy junction on the A14, after some drivers complained about “near misses” on the roundabout. The post gives an update on the work at the Milton Interchange which links the A14 with the A10 north […]
Public sector transport experts line up to speak at JCT online Symposium 2020
Experts from the Department for Transport, Highways England and Transport for London have signed up to speak at this year’s JCT Traffic Signals Symposium. The popular event will be held online on 22 and 23 September because a physical event is impossible under current government restrictions. Places are free to delegates thanks to the support […]
Jim O’Sullivan to leave Highways England early next year
Highways England has announced the departure of its Chief Executive, Jim O’Sullivan-who will leave the organisation early next year. Mr O’Sullivan, who was appointed in 2015, has led the company’s delivery of the Government’s first multi-billion pound roads programme, making the country’s strategic road network safer and more reliable. He said: “The people in Highways […]
Highways England begins search for design and build contractors for A66 Northern Trans-Pennie upgrade
Highways England has begun engagement as part of its search for design and build contractors to help deliver its A66 Northern Trans-Pennine upgrade. According to the first prior information notice, Highways England said it plans to put the project into four packages of work. These packages range in value from £94 million up to £361 […]
Highways England turns to VR to help control room operators understand the impact of their decisions
Highways England has been working with virtual reality specialists MXTreality to create a training facility for its traffic control room operators to help them understand in more detail the impact of their decisions on motorists. Working closely with the HE training team MXTreality devised five common real-world scenarios, which would be experienced by the operators […]
Highways England’s scheme delivery framework open for tenders
Highways England’s scheme delivery framework is now open for tenders, with the £3.6 billion, six-year contract offering 161 places, split into four different bands. The new contract covers renewal, improvement and small construction scheme works and is designed to provide continuity between Highways England’s next two Roads Investment Strategy (RIS) time frames. The framework is […]
HE awards major contracts to Kier and Amey
Highways England has awarded Kier Highways the contract to maintain its network in Kent and Sussex, while Amey has won the work to look after three bridges in the southwest. Kier’s Area 4 contract, which starts on 2 November 2020, will see it carry out routine maintenance, repairing defects, responding to emergency incidents and providing […]