Highways England could be rebranded
Five years after a change in the ownership and funding structure led to the Highways Agency becoming Highways England, the organisation could be renamed again. The Guardian reports that the government is considering changing its name to National Highways in order to “reflect its strategic importance”. The report does not go into great detail about […]
Driver jailed for fatal smart motorway crash
A lorry driver has been jailed for ten months for causing death by dangerous driving in a crash on an all-lane running section of the M1 near Sheffield. Prezemyslaw Szuba crashed into two vehicles who were swapping insurance details after a collision – Alexandru Murgeanu and Jason Mercer were killed. However the BBC quotes Mr […]
HE courts graduates to “build network of the future”
Highways England is recruiting a new intake of graduates as it embarks on what it calls an exciting multi-billion investment programme for the country’s strategic road network. The government-owned company is offering a range of three-year graduate programmes across the country, designed to give graduates all the skills and experience they need to grow their careers. Recruitment for our broad range of apprenticeship […]
Smart motorway death widow says driver should not be jailed
The widow of a man killed in a crash on a smart motorway is urging the judge in the case not to jail the man who admitted causing the death. The Sunday Telegraph reported that Claire Mercer will use her victim impact statement to blame Highways England because of the removal of hard shoulders on […]
HE urged to cut limit through Plymouth
There are calls for a stretch of the A38 in Plymouth to have its speed limit cut from 70 to 50 mph, in an attempt to cut accidents, congestion and emissions. Plymouth Live reports that Conservative councillors say the 70mph limit to be cut to 50mph “to improve road safety”, while a recent closure of […]
Packed line-up confirmed for JCT Symposium 2020 as delegate numbers soar
Delegates at this year’s JCT Traffic Signals Symposium will hear how data from existing urban traffic control systems could be used to help reduce the environmental impact of transport in the future. The fascinating presentation from Professor Margaret Bell is one of 20 lined up for the two-day online event which has already seen a […]
HE boss admits smart motorway introduction ‘could have been done better’
The outgoing Chief Executive of Highways England has admitted the organisation could have done a better job of introducing smart motorways. In an interview with Highways News to be published in full next week, Mr O’Sullivan told site co-owner Adrian Tatum things “could have been done differently” over the way the organisation communicated the concept […]
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, […]