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The Friday Blog | Thames Tideway Tunnel: Bridging the Skills Gap and Diversity Divide—or Just a Government Tick-Box?
The Thames Tideway Tunnel , often described as London’s “super sewer,” is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Europe. Designed to reduce sewage overflow into the River Thames, the project represents a significant engineering feat, involving a 25-kilometre tunnel running beneath London and connecting numerous wastewater treatment plants. The tunnel, costing over £4 billion, has captured the attention of policymakers, engineers, and environmentalists alike. Yet beyond
Safer Highways
Nov 66 min read


Wiltshire Council invests in third Bobcat machine to repair more roads across the county
Wiltshire Council has added a third Bobcat machine to fix more potholes and repair more roads across the county, further strengthening its commitment to improving road infrastructure Bobcats can remove large areas of damaged road surface in just minutes, which enables the teams on site to then complete the repairs, while the Bobcat moves on to the next site and the next job. This helps to keep disruption to a minimum and also enables the teams to repair more roads. Using a Bo
Safer Highways
Nov 61 min read


Wiltshire Police highlight importance of good vision in latest road safety campaign
Wiltshire Police are reminding drivers across the county to make sure their vision is up to standard as part of an ongoing campaign to reduce collisions caused by poor eyesight called "Is Your Eyesight Roadworthy?" Over the past two weeks, officers from the Roads Policing Unit have been carrying out roadside eyesight checks, helping to identify drivers whose vision may fall below the legal requirement.If a driver is unable to read a number plate from 20 metres away in dayligh
Safer Highways
Nov 62 min read


A14 westbound closure caused by queuing traffic, Highways says
A stretch of the A14 was delayed fully opening by nearly five hours due to early-morning queueing traffic, National Highways has said. The westbound carriageway between junctions 51 (for Needham Market) and 52 (for Stowmarket) remained closed until 10.50am on Wednesday. Overnight closures have been in place for this stretch of road since September 15, so that National Highways can carry out reconstruction and repair works to sections of the A14. The overnight closures will be
Safer Highways
Nov 61 min read


Campaigners Demand Release of Smart Motorway Safety Reports
Campaigners have held a demonstration outside the Department for Transport (DfT) headquarters in London, calling for the publication of reports evaluating the safety and effectiveness of smart motorway schemes. The protest was organised by Claire Mercer , founder of the Smart Motorways Kill campaign, who claims that the DfT is withholding a series of Post Opening Project Evaluation (POPE) reports . These reports are intended to provide data on safety, value for money, and env
Safer Highways
Nov 61 min read


The Friday Blog | A1 Northumberland Dualling: Balancing Cost, Safety, and the Future of UK Infrastructure
In the North East of England, the single carriageway stretch of the A1 in Northumberland has long been a source of concern for local residents, businesses, and politicians. With frequent closures due to accidents and an alarming record of casualties, calls to upgrade the road to a dual carriageway have been made repeatedly over the years. Yet, in 2024, the government officially scrapped plans to dual this “dangerous” road, citing funding constraints and deeming the project “u
Safer Highways
Nov 65 min read


Northumberland Councillors Call for Reversal of Scrapped A1 Dualling Plans
Councillors in North East England have renewed calls for the government to reconsider its decision to cancel plans to dual the A1 in Northumberland, a single carriageway described as “dangerous.” The proposal was abandoned in 2024 after the Department for Transport cited funding constraints and deemed the project “unaffordable.” Speaking at a Northumberland County Council meeting on Wednesday, Liberal Democrat councillor Isabel Hunter stressed the urgency of upgrading the r
Safer Highways
Nov 61 min read


Long Stratton Bypass Opens, Easing Congestion and Supporting Future Growth and Delivering Significant Social Value and Carbon Reduction
The Long Stratton bypass is now officially open, relieving persistent traffic congestion in the Norfolk town and preparing the local road network for future development, including the planned 1,800 new homes in the area. The scheme was delivered by Octavius . The £47 million project, designated as priority infrastructure by Norfolk County Council , comprises a 4km single carriageway and includes two new bridges to enhance pedestrian and cycling access into Long Stratton. Jami
Safer Highways
Nov 61 min read


P&D Specialist Services Partners with The Thomas Theyer Foundation: A Shared Commitment to Wellbeing and Community
Founded in memory of Thomas Samuel Theyer, who passed away aged 18 in 2013, The Thomas Theyer Foundationbecame a registered charity in 2015 with a mission to support children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) or those facing challenging life circumstances — as well as their families and carers. Rooted in Thomas’s own love for exercise and the outdoors — he lived with dyspraxia and ADHD and found solace in physical activity — the Foundation champions the m
Safer Highways
Nov 62 min read


£30m M65 Junction 5 Upgrade Set to Begin in January
Work to upgrade Junction 5 of the M65 in Blackburn is set to begin in January, marking the start of a £30 million investment to boost road capacity and sustainable travel across South East Blackburn. The scheme, part of a wider £100 million transport investment package for the borough, aims to improve traffic flow around Junction 5 and neighbouring routes. Balfour Beatty has been appointed as the main contractor, drawing on its experience delivering major motorway upgrades ac
Safer Highways
Nov 62 min read


£50m Biofuel Plant Approved to Power UK’s Biggest Transport Project
A £50 million renewable energy facility that will produce sustainable fuel for the UK’s largest infrastructure scheme has been given the green light. Medway Council has approved plans for a major expansion of the Syntech Biofuel plant at Kingsnorth Industrial Estate on the Hoo Peninsula. The development includes a new 1,600 sq/m production building and supporting infrastructure to convert waste cooking oil into advanced “smart biofuel” — a low-carbon alternative to traditiona
Safer Highways
Nov 62 min read


Only 103 Years to Go: Oxfordshire’s Road Resurfacing Plan in Top Gear
A Banbury councillor has criticised Oxfordshire County Council after being told that, on average, local roads are resurfaced once every 103 years. Councillor Andrew Crichton , who represents Banbury Hardwick , has urged the council to resurface Horsham Close , which residents claim has not been resurfaced since it was built in 1983 . The issue was raised at a council meeting on Tuesday, where Councillor Andrew Gant , the Cabinet Member for Transport, responded to Cllr Crichto
Safer Highways
Nov 61 min read


Community centre gets a makeover thanks to A52 road scheme
A Nottingham community centre has been given a smart new facelift after volunteers from a nearby road improvement scheme offered to lend a hand. Volunteers from National Highways’ A52 Priory to QMC improvements scheme grabbed their paint brushes and overalls to help redecorate the Heathfield Community Centre which is the home of The Pythian Club. Willing helpers came from National Highways and its scheme contractors, with Morgan Sindall providing the materials to brighten up
Safer Highways
Nov 52 min read


AA Chief Warns Ending EV Congestion Charge Exemption Could Harm Air Quality
AA President Edmund King has warned that plans to end London’s congestion charge exemption for electric vehiclescould have unintended consequences — potentially damaging air quality and slowing electric vehicle (EV) adoption. In a letter obtained by the London Evening Standard , Mr King urged Mayor Sadiq Khan to reconsider the proposal, saying the move “has come too soon” and “could backfire on London’s drivers, EV uptake, air quality, and your admirable ambition to be the f
Safer Highways
Nov 52 min read


Hull City Council progresses strengthening scheme on Sutton Road flyover
Hull City Council has appointed Mason Clark Associates, a Hull-based engineering consultancy, to progress works on Sutton Road flyover. A principal inspection carried out in October 2020 revealed extensive concrete spalling on the soffit and exposure of the deck’s main reinforcement. Therefore, to maintain safety and reliability, the council needs to implement a comprehensive strengthening scheme on the structure – which crosses over the TransPennine Trail – between Leads
Safer Highways
Nov 51 min read


£115m plan unveiled to improve Dorset’s roads and travel
Dorset Council has unveiled a new plan that could see up to £115 million spent on local roads over the next four years. The aim is to make journeys safer, greener and more reliable for residents and visitors. This plan covers all parts of Dorset, with more projects planned as funding is confirmed. The Highways Capital Programme Strategy explains how Dorset could benefit from government funding. This includes the Local Transport Grant, the Highways Maintenance Block, and a ne
Safer Highways
Nov 52 min read
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