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Engineers with a head for heights rock up for specialist work on National Highways’ A417 scheme
Engineers are scaling the heights to carry out strengthening work on steep slopes above Gloucester as part of National Highways’ A417 Missing Link scheme. Running up and over the Cotswolds escarpment in dramatic Jurassic limestone cuttings, the landscape-led scheme is creating a free-flowing 3.5-mile dual carriageway link between the Brockworth bypass and the Cowley roundabout in Gloucestershire. Navigating the escarpment, which has one of the highest inland concentrations of
Safer Highways
Dec 16, 20253 min read


Completion of A465 Upgrade Sparks Debate Over Welsh Government Funding Model
The final stage of the A465 Heads of the Valleys upgrade has raised questions about the viability of its funding approach. The £590 million dualling project, covering the 17.3km stretch between Dowlais Top and Hirwaun in South Wales, was officially reopened on 30 May. Work began in May 2021 under design and construction contractor Future Valleys Construction (FCC Construcción). The upgrade has transformed the road from a three-lane single carriageway into a dual carriageway w
Safer Highways
Dec 16, 20253 min read


Yorkshire Water Launches £80M Multi-Supplier Technical Services Framework for AMP8
Yorkshire Water has unveiled plans for a new multi-supplier framework aimed at providing comprehensive technical consultancy, engineering design, technical assurance, and specialist support services for its AMP8 investment programme running from 2025 to 2030. Valued at approximately £80 million (excluding VAT), the framework will replace existing Technical Services and Technical Assurance agreements, offering enhanced continuity, resilience, and flexibility in delivering spec
Safer Highways
Dec 16, 20252 min read


Re-flow – From forms to flows: how intelligent data capture can transform field operations
There’s a recently developed, more-modern way of managing field operations that begins with seemingly simple form submissions and makes the most of data collection from sites. In UK infrastructure, collecting site data – known risks, incidents, asset utilisation, costs, photos, and key performance indicators – should be more of a game changer than it is. But the daily pressures of work, disconnected systems, or data siloes often cause this vital field data to be lost, left un
Safer Highways
Dec 16, 20252 min read


UK Engineering First: HS2 Viaduct Slides Over Live M6 Motorway
Engineers on the HS2 project achieved a UK-first over the weekend by sliding a 4,600-tonne viaduct across a live section of the M6 motorway. The 315-metre bridge deck, which will eventually carry HS2 trains, was moved during a 17-hour operation on Saturday, 13 December, without the need to close the motorway to traffic below. This marked the final stage of a three-part process to assemble and position the east deck of the M6 South viaduct. While the previous deck slide requir
Safer Highways
Dec 16, 20252 min read


Sadiq Khan Sparks Labour Row with £3bn London Overground Contract
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has sparked controversy within the Labour Party after awarding a £3 billion contract to FirstGroup to operate the London Overground, a decision that appears to contradict Labour’s pledge to bring railways back under public ownership. On Tuesday, the transport company listed on the London Stock Exchange announced it would manage the city’s 104-mile above-ground rail network for up to ten years starting in May 2026. David Thomas, a London transport offic
Safer Highways
Dec 16, 20253 min read


New Report Warns Seat Belt Non-Use and Mobile Phone Driving Remain Under-Detected Road Safety Risks
A major new report from the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) has raised concerns that two of the UK’s most dangerous driving behaviours — not wearing a seat belt and using a mobile phone at the wheel — continue to be poorly detected and enforced. The study, supported by technology firm Acusensus, draws on evidence from police forces, academics, legal experts and technology providers. It concludes that despite official surveys suggesting high levels
Safer Highways
Dec 16, 20252 min read


Warwickshire Tops National Rankings for Drain and Gully Maintenance
Warwickshire County Council has been recognised as the best-performing county authority in the UK for drain and gully maintenance, according to a nationwide public survey. The findings come from an Ipsos Mori study which measures residents’ views on highway and transport services across the country. Warwickshire ranked first among all county councils for keeping drains clear and functioning effectively. The strong result reflects the council’s preventative approach to drainag
Safer Highways
Dec 16, 20251 min read


Kemi Badenoch Says Conservatives Would Scrap Petrol and Diesel Car Ban
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said her party would abandon the planned ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles if it wins the next general election, arguing the policy risks damaging the UK’s car industry. Speaking after a meeting with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, Badenoch described the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate as “well-intentioned but ultimately harmful”. Under the current policy, all new cars sold from 2030 would need to be electric or hybrid as p
Safer Highways
Dec 16, 20252 min read


Over 240 Cannabis Plants Found in M1 Drainage Culvert in Northamptonshire
More than 240 cannabis plants were discovered growing inside a drainage culvert beneath the M1 near Watford, Northamptonshire, in an unusual and sophisticated setup, police have said. Maintenance workers from National Highways found the grow on Friday, November 28, and reported it to Northamptonshire Police. The culvert, a closed tunnel designed to carry water beneath the motorway, had been boarded up to conceal the plants. Daventry Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Jonathan D
Safer Highways
Dec 10, 20251 min read


HS2’s Greatworth Tunnel Hits Key Milestone with Road Realignment
Construction of the longest “green” tunnel on the HS2 line, the 1.7-mile (2.7km) Greatworth Tunnel in south Northamptonshire, has taken a major step forward with the temporary realignment of the B4525 road, HS2 Ltd has confirmed. The tunnel, built using a cut-and-cover method, is designed to minimise disruption to the surrounding rural landscape. Engineers have already completed around 0.6 miles (1km) of the structure, which will eventually be covered with soil, trees, shrubs
Safer Highways
Dec 10, 20251 min read


Early Data Shows Positive Impact from Oxford’s Temporary Congestion Charge
Early monitoring data from Oxfordshire County Council indicates that the city’s temporary congestion charge is beginning to improve traffic flow in the city centre and reduce journey times, although some outer roads have experienced increased traffic. The temporary charge, introduced on 29 October at six key points in Oxford, aims to reduce congestion while Botley Road remains closed and the start of a traffic filter trial is delayed. The council is publishing monthly data on
Safer Highways
Dec 10, 20251 min read


Norfolk Roads to Benefit from Multi-Year Government Funding Boost
Millions of pounds in extra funding will be available to maintain Norfolk’s roads, including tackling potholes, following confirmation from the government of multi-year allocations for 2025/26 to 2029/30. Norfolk County Council will see its highways maintenance budget rise from £56 million in 2025/26 to over £83 million by 2029/30 , a £27 million increase over the five-year period. The funding can be used for essential works, such as pothole repairs and resurfacing, helping
Safer Highways
Dec 10, 20252 min read


A33 Between Reading and Basingstoke Closed Overnight Following Crack Discovery
The A33 northbound between Reading and Basingstoke will be closed overnight after a 1km-long crack was discovered along the inside lane of the Swallowfield Bypass. Wokingham Borough Council , which maintains the route, announced the closure will take place from 8pm to 6am to allow for a temporary repair . The affected section runs between the Hampshire boundary and Mereoak Lane , with a diversion in place via Odiham Road, B3349 Basingstoke Road, and Basingstoke Road . In a
Safer Highways
Dec 10, 20251 min read


£500,000 to Tackle Reckless Driving on Portsdown Hill, Hampshire
More than £500,000 will be spent to reduce reckless and dangerous driving on Portsdown Hill, Hampshire, where four people have died and 61 others have been seriously injured over the past five years. The improvement works, which will include average speed cameras , aim to reduce speeding and improve road safety along the route north of Portsmouth. Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones , announced the funding at a public meeting in Farlington, stating: “I’ve lis
Safer Highways
Dec 10, 20251 min read


Greater Manchester Public Consultation Launched on 2050 Transport Strategy
People living, working, visiting, travelling, or studying in Greater Manchester are being invited to help shape the future of travel in the city region by giving their views on the GM Transport Strategy 2050 and the GM Transport Delivery Plan (2027–2037). Developed alongside the region’s 10 local councils and in consultation with businesses, community groups, and stakeholders, the plans aim to create a world-class transport system while tackling inequality and supporting sust
Safer Highways
Dec 10, 20251 min read
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