New Programme Of Council Road And Footway Improvements In Wolverhampton To Help Tackle Potholes Across City
road-bridge
Mar 31, 2025
Highway News
A raft of new road and footway improvements to help prevent potholes will be put into action by City of Wolverhampton Council.
A budget of £9.2 million for the highways capital programme 2025/26 was bolstered by an additional £500,000 council investment to help fix and prevent surface defects at last month’s council cabinet meeting.
It will see dozens of roads and footways across the city given a new lease of life.
Roads included in the approved programme of improvements for 2025/26 – a mixture of resurfacing and surface dressing – can be seen in the list below along with approved footway improvements, with others to be confirmed.
Councillor Qaiser Azeem, City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Green City, said: “Addressing potholes is a priority for City of Wolverhampton Council as we understand how important a safe and well maintained highways network is for all modes of transport.“While we carry out thousands of repairs to potholes every year, and will continue to do so, prevention work is key in the long term.“That is why we are investing in a further programme of resurfacing and other surface treatments informed by condition surveys and inspections across the network, identifying where improvements can make the most difference.“This approach is considered best practice nationally and will help us to reduce the need for reactive repairs in the long run.”Surface dressing can extend the life of roads, reducing the need for reactive repairs. It is completed quickly with little disruption to traffic. Where more extensive work is required, full resurfacing projects are completed.
Over the past 5 years the council has treated more than 560 square kilometres of carriageway by resurfacing or surface dressing and repaired more than 58,000 defects in roads and footways – up to 44 per working day.
Pothole repairs are carried out throughout the year too as the council strikes a balance between preventative and reactive work. The highways capital programme also funds road safety and traffic management work, upgrades to car parks, streetlighting upgrades and more.
PIC-WOLVERHALPTON COUNCIL
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Highway News
Net Zero By The Roadside: How Live Labs 2 Is Helping Cut Highways EmissionsHow can cutting grass on the roadside help power the very vehicles that maintain our highways, while also slashing carbon emissions?
Across the UK, local highways authorities are facing mounting pressure to decarbonise without sacrificing safety, budget, or reliability. The Live Labs 2 project has been working on seven real-world trials shaping the roads of tomorrow — from street lighting alternatives to circular biofuel solutions — helping turn innovation into business as usual.
Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!
Thanks to our guest, Programme Director Giles Perkins (pictured), in today’s podcast you will, among other things:
Hit play now to hear how Live Labs 2 is creating a blueprint for future-ready roads — and how your organisation can join the charge.
Highways Voices is brought to you with our partners the Transport Technology Forum, LCRIG, ADEPT and ITS UK.
(Picture – Highways News)road-bridge
02 April 2025
Highway News
Octavius Completes Landslip Road’S ReconstructionClosed following a major landslip in 2022, the B4069 at Lyneham Banks, Wiltshire, is now open to traffic once more. Delivered to schedule and budget, work to reinstate and future proof the road was completed by Octavius.
The project restores a major transport route which, prior to the landslip carried more than 5,500 vehicles each weekday. Communities will be reconnected and lengthy diversions brought to an end. What was once described as ‘England’s wonkiest road’, is back in service, as Highways News first reported in September.
“This was a challenge. About 90 metres of carriageway was lost. The hillside was still creeping when we commenced work, tackling such ground conditions demanded some creative solutions,” said Chris Hudson, Operations Director of Octavius’ highways business, “But we are about bringing people together, so it was great to help reconnect communities affected by this lengthy road closure.”
The landslip, which dislodged the section of the carriageway and transported it 40m down the hillside, was probably caused by a combination of historic weaknesses, increased groundwater flows, and additional loading due to nearby development.
Measures to restore the carriageway, and mitigate future subsidence, included a 108m-long contiguous bored pile retaining wall adjacent to the westbound carriageway, which was reconstructed on the original alignment. The wall comprises 120 reinforced concrete bored piles installed below a 1.5m-high capping beam.
The slope above and below the roadway was regraded, and drainage systems installed beneath the new carriageway and on the hillside above and beneath. Work to restore and protect the carriageway cost £5 million.
The poor ground conditions that contributed to the road collapse also hampered the remedial work. It was not possible to clear out and replace the unstable ground, the ideal approach. Instead the ground had to be compacted sequentially, in nine separate ten-metre bays along the line of carriageway, a slower more incremental way of working. Buried obstructions were common throughout the route, often necessitating deeper excavations to ensure piling integrity.
As with the carriageway work the drainage programme was fragmented due to the ground conditions. Only after the installation of initial drains allowed the ground to begin to dry out was it possible to revisit an area and lay the full drainage system. Sitting on a rural B road limited access to the site, restricting the ability to undertake multiple activities simultaneously, which reinforced the linear, sequential nature of the way the location and ground conditions shaped the delivery of the project.road-bridge
02 April 2025
Highway News
City Bridge Foundation Warns Silvertown And Blackwall Tunnel Tolls ‘Pose Risk’ To Tower BridgeCharging motorists to drive through the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels in east London may have a “detrimental” impact on Tower Bridge, its custodians have warned.
The Silvertown tunnel, linking the Greenwich Peninsula and Royal Docks, opens to traffic on Monday, making it the first new Thames road crossing in half a century.
Drivers will have to pay a toll to use the new twin-bore tunnel during peak hours – as well as the adjacent Blackwall tunnel connecting Tower Hamlets and Greenwich, but the City Bridge Foundation, which looks after five Thames bridges in central London at no cost to the taxpayer, is concerned that motorists will divert to the closest practical free river crossing, which is likely to be Tower Bridge, says the Evening Standard.
Simon Latham, the charity’s Chief Operating Officer, said increased traffic will have a “detrimental impact” on the Grade 1-listed landmark, famous for its Gothic towers and raising bascules allowing ships to pass beneath.
Mr Latham said: “It’s vital we do everything we can to protect the 130-year-old structure… We would urge TfL to closely monitor any impact on traffic flow.”
Meanwhile, National Highways is concerned that more traffic may use the Dartford Crossings on the M25, which at £2.50 per crossing is significantly cheaper than both the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels.
However, TfL claims its modelling suggested there would be no significant increase in traffic on Tower Bridge.
(Pic: TfL)road-bridge
02 April 2025
Highway News
Asphalt Group Launches Action Plan To Deliver Roads That Last LongerRoad repair specialist Asphalt Group has put forward a series of recommendations to help make roads last longer after it was revealed that the backlog for road repairs in England and Wales has reached almost £17 billion.According to the latest Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) report from the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), more than half of the road network (52%) – around 106,000 miles – is reported to have less than 15 years structural life remaining. Almost a third of this number – 34,600 miles or one in six of the total – has only up to five years life left. Asphalt Group has put forward a five-point action plan to combat the decliningcondition of the UK’s roads.
The company is calling for the following actions to be implemented:• Provide long term and ring-fenced funding for local councils so they can deliver longer lasting roads.• Highlight the social and economic benefits of roads that are fit for purpose. Valued at approximately £400 billion, the local highway network is the largest and most visible community asset for which local highway authorities are responsible.• Better collaboration across central and local government along with the supply chain to accelerate the transition to sustainable, better roads.•Prioritise the safety of drivers, cyclists and bikers which is currently being put at risk because of poorly maintained roads.• Move the narrative away from potholes and instead focus on asset management and solutions which extend the life of roads.
Asphalt Group Managing Director Stephen Cooke said:“We cannot go on like this and things need to change. For a long time, the sector has called for longer-term funding so that councils can plan their road maintenance and ensure that roads last longer. In order to ensure the resilience of the transport network, focus needs to be put on using solutions such as preservation that will reinforce the asphalt and make roads last longer, reducing costs and improving efficiencies. The process can preserve the same asset [road surface] to extend its life for years.
“Asset management is all about extending the life of the asset, so instead of filling in potholes, engineers have the solutions to make roads last longer. After all, there are several social, economic, safety and environmentalbenefits that are brought about through building a longer lasting road network. Our action plan sets out what needs to be prioritised and we stand ready to deliver on this.”
The findings of ALARM 2025, which relate to the 2024/25 financial year, show that English and Welsh local authorities need an extra £7.4m each to maintain the network to their target conditions. £16.81 billion is now reported to be required, as a one-off, for local authorities to bring the network up to their ‘ideal’ conditions.
Some 24,400 miles (12%) of the network are likely to need some form of maintenance in the next 12 months, but just 1.5% of the local road network was resurfaced in the last year with some 1.9 million potholes filled at a cost of £137.4 million. Recently, the UK government demanded that councils prove their progress on pothole repair, or face losing cash as a result.
(Pic: Asphalt Group)road-bridge
02 April 2025
Highway News
New Kingsway And Destiny Bridge Opens In PerthThe New Kingsway and Destiny Bridge, the significant new transport infrastructure helping to reduce congestion in Perth city centre, opened on 31st March 2025, in a ceremony led by First Minister, John Swinney, Perth and Kinross Council Leader, Grant Laing, and local athletics champion, Eilidh Doyle.
Known collectively as the Cross Tay Link Road project, Destiny Bridge and the New Kingsway, are key elements of the Perth Transport Futures infrastructure project linking the A9, the A93 and the A94 by providing a crossing over the River Tay.
The project also includes a 12km active travel path network, connecting the neighbouring communities with Perth city centre and providing alternatives to vehicular traffic. The path network also connects a central hub at a new Park-and-Choose area, and incorporates a green bridge to separate active travel users and wildlife from the road.
Together, the active travel path network and improved transport infrastructure will deliver on the project’s key priorities of reducing congestion and improving air quality in Perth city centre. Scottish Government, through Transport Scotland, has provided a £40m funding contribution to Perth and Kinross Council.
First Minister John Swinney said, “The completion of the New Kingsway and Destiny Bridge is a significant milestone for Perth, and I have no doubt that it will be transformative for the area and bring enormous benefits to all who use it.
“Reducing traffic volumes in the city centre will make journey times quicker, while also helping to reduce pollution, improve air quality, and free up road space for improved public transport.
“Our £40 million investment in the New Kingsway and Destiny Bridge is in addition to the £150 million Scottish Government has already committed to the Tay Cities Region Deal, which is expected to create 6,000 jobs and lever a further £400 million of investment into the region.
“This project showcases exactly how, with the right investment and strong partnerships, we will continue to deliver on my priorities of growing the economy, improving public services and protecting the planet.”
(Pic: Kingsway Transport Futures)road-bridge
01 April 2025
Highway News
Jenoptik To Provide Major Safety Boost For Essex A-RoadA key route across north Essex will benefit from a new scheme which aims make the road safer for road users and those living nearby.
Work started yesterday on improvements to the A120, designed to cut road traffic collisions as National Highways works to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the strategic road network.
The safety scheme features the installation of five new Jenoptik average speed safety cameras and associated signage along a section of the A120 between Marks Farm, Braintree and Marks Tey near Colchester.
As part of the improvements the current 60mph speed limit on the Coggeshall bypass west towards Bradwell and eastwards to Marks Tey will be permanently reduced to 50mph. Additionally, the 40mph speed limit through Bradwell will be extended 635m to the east.
Work on the £2.6m project is expected to be completed during summer 2025.
Martin Fellows, National Highways Regional Director for the East region, said:
“Safety is, and will always be, our number one priority, and we understand how important improved safety is to those who use this route as well as those who live nearby. Our work has identified sections of the A120 where we believe safety improvements can be made. These changes to the speed limit aim to reduce the frequency and severity of collisions which helps keep traffic flowing and creates safer roads for everyone.”
To minimise disruption to road users the works will be carried out on weekday nights, usually between 9pm – 6am, weather permitting. During the works drivers should allow additional time to complete their journeys.
(Pic: Mapillary)road-bridge
01 April 2025
roads & bridges
Revamping America’S BridgesThe 2025 construction season has begun, and bridge projects across the country are moving forward. Today, bridge projects in Rhode Island, New York and Ohio take center stage.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has confirmed the execution of a $221 million federal grant dedicated to Rhode Island’s Washington Bridge project.
“This is good news for everyone, including the contractors bidding on the project, knowing there will be no delays,” said Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee at a press conference last week. “The timing is right.”
The Trump Administration inherited over 3,200 unobligated grants from its predecessor, which had been promised but never implemented. These unfulfilled commitments resulted in delayed infrastructure investments nationwide. While funding for the Washington Bridge was initially proposed in the fall of 2024, the previous administration did not finalize the agreement.
Under Secretary Duffy, the Department of Transportation aims to accelerate the allocation of these long-overdue resources to improve critical infrastructure.
The westbound section of Washington Bridge on Interstate-195 has been closed since December 2023 because of significant structural failures discovered during reconstruction.
Issues such as severed tie rods, deteriorating post-tensioned concrete girders and poor concrete quality led officials to determine that a full replacement was necessary.
Washington Bridge serves as a vital transportation link. It spans the Seekonk River and connects Providence with East Providence.
Built in 1969, the westbound bridge carried five lanes of traffic and linked key highways. This connection plays a crucial role in regional travel between Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.
“He clearly understands the economy is attached to these infrastructure improvements,” McKee said of Duffy.
A $61 million project to replace two aging bridges on Interstate 490 in Perinton, N.Y. begins today.
According to officials from the New York State Department of Transportation, westbound traffic on I-490 will be reduced to a single lane as crews work to replace the bridges spanning Kreag Road and the Erie Canal. Additionally, Exit 27 at Bushnell’s Basin was closed on Monday, and eastbound traffic will be limited to one lane starting April 7.
“Both of these bridges are around 80 years old, built in the 1950's, so they’ve reached the point where they are beyond their useful life," Christopher Reeve, regional director at NYSDOT, said to WHAM 13.
Reeve explained that continued maintenance is no longer a practical solution. To manage traffic flow, NYSDOT is implementing a zipper merge.
In Grove City, Ohio, a construction project will result in the long-term closure of the Gantz Road Bridge.
According to officials from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the bridge over Interstate 270 will be closed for 120 days starting today.
The closure will allow for extensive rehabilitation. The project includes replacing and repairing guardrails, widening the bridge to accommodate a shared-use path and replacing the bridge deck, according to a report from WBNS 10.
During the closure, a designated detour will direct drivers along Home Road, U.S. Route 62, Frank Road and back to Gantz Road.
Additionally, ODOT plans to conduct rehabilitation work on the McComb Road and Trabue Road bridges over I-270.
Sources: USDOT, Rhode Island Current, WHAM 13, WBNS 10.road-bridge
01 April 2025
Highway News
Scotland: Plans Submitted For Segregated Active Travel Route Between Aviemore And CarrbridgeA planning application has been lodged today for a proposed 9km active travel route for walking, wheeling and cycling, which will provide a safer, more direct link between Aviemore and Carrbridge, linking up with existing routes in the area.
Following feedback from the public, the plans include a signalised crossing of the A95 at Granish.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:
“The Scottish Government is committed to promoting active travel in Scotland and making it easier for people to choose walking, wheeling or cycling through safer routes.
“As part of this ambition, we are working with our partners in the Cairngorms National Park Authority, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership and Sustrans to deliver this new, safer Aviemore to Carrbridge route.
“Active travel is fundamental to all of this Government’s priorities and a vital enabler to our National Transport Strategy outcomes; making active travel easily accessible and safer for people of all ages.”
The 9 km segregated preferred route will provide a safer, more direct route between Aviemore and Carrbridge linking up with existing active travel routes in the area.
The new route will also provide an opportunity for circular trips between Aviemore, Carrbridge and Boat of Garten by using the existing Speyside Way.
(Pic: Mapillary)road-bridge
01 April 2025
New Civil Engineer (Road)
Galliford Try Named In Sizewell C Contracts For Construction Of Link Road And BypassSizewell C has awarded road and infrastructure contracts to Galliford Try and local firms to support the construction of the 3.2GW nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast.
Galliford Try has been appointed to the construction of a new 6.5km Sizewell Link Road and 1.8km Two Village Bypass, while Suffolk-based, family-owned civil engineering contractor, Breheny Civil Engineering has been engaged to build two new connecting roundabouts on the A12.
The Sizewell Link Road – expected to be completed in 2027 – will be a 6.5km new road bypassing local villages, Theberton and Middleton Moor, with new roundabouts and junction at each end to connect to existing road infrastructure.
The Two Village Bypass – to be built by the end of 2026 – will enable construction traffic to bypass the villages of Farnham and Stratford St Andrew.
The connecting A12 roundabouts at Friday Street and Yoxford are intended to enable safer connections and improve safety on parts of the A12 regarded as a risk for drivers.
The contracts have been awarded in line with preparations to progress the delivery of off-site infrastructure to support the construction of the nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast.
They follow an earlier award to Ipswich-based Jackson Civil Engineering to deliver key road schemes for the project.
The new major road schemes will play a role in limiting the impact on the existing road infrastructure and reducing local impacts during the construction phase. Sizewell C has committed to delivering 60% of materials by rail or sea to limit impacts on local roads, and recently announced a trial of hydrogen buses to transport construction workers.
Sizewell C site delivery director Damian Leydon described the contracts as “a milestone in the offsite infrastructure we need to build Sizewell C.”
He added: “By building these roads and roundabouts, we can deliver what we need safely and efficiently, and we can reduce the impact of construction traffic on the existing road network here in Suffolk at the same time.”
Leydon added that minimising disruption was “a big part of our job”, adding that the new road schemes would form part of a wider programme to enable this, including park and rides, freight management facilities, and rail and sea infrastructure.
He noted that the contracts also demonstrated the Sizewell C’s commitment “to delivering high-value contracts to businesses here in Suffolk and across the UK” adding that there was an “abundance of the kind of skilled people we need right here in this region.”
Breheny Civil Engineering regional commercial director Mark Burrows said: “Sizewell C offers Suffolk an incredible opportunity to showcase the region’s extensive talent and resources, providing work opportunities for years to come.
“We originally worked on Sizewell B in the 1980s, we have completed several projects on Sizewell C already, and we’re delighted to have now been awarded the construction of the new roundabouts on the A12 at Yoxford and Friday Street.
“We’ve been working on sections of the A12 since the 1970s and look forward to continuing to improve the A12 with the building of the new roundabouts to support the construction of Sizewell C.”
Breheny employs in-house teams and has a long-term supply chain, delivering works across East Anglia, the Southeast, Midlands and Yorkshire.
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Dugmore said: “Witnessing the breadth of activity now taking place across the project, alongside the growing list of contracts being awarded to local and regional firms such as Breheny and Jacksons, is the start of what Sizewell C will continue to deliver as part of their nuclear new build legacy in Suffolk.
“With the government’s recent announcements around construction jobs and bringing forward at pace infrastructure projects, it is more important than ever before that Sizewell C and other major developers harness local and regional supply chains. This will ensure together we build a legacy for an ever-vibrant local economy, and act as a catalyst for growth and investment for the county and region.”
Sizewell C has said it will support “70,000 high-quality jobs across the UK” and is committed to spending £4.4bn in the East of England alone across the construction period.
It has over 1,000 working on the project and is expected to have around 2000 people by the end of the year. Around 60 apprentices have joined the project to date - the first of a projected 1,500 apprenticeships the project will deliver over the construction period, 540 of which will come from the local area.
The cost of building the Sizewell C nuclear power plant in Suffolk has doubled since the plans were presented to the UK government in 2020 and could now reach close to £40bn, according to Financial Times reporting in January.
NCE recently reported that French energy company EDF had reduced its stake in Sizewell C following investment by the UK government using its Devex (development expenditure) subsidy scheme established last August.
The government said it had created the Sizewell C Devex Scheme to “provide the government with greater flexibility to cover development expenditure costs up to and including FID, subject to appropriate Value for Money (VfM) assessments and approvals at the relevant time”.
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31 March 2025
Highway News
New Programme Of Council Road And Footway Improvements In Wolverhampton To Help Tackle Potholes Across CityA raft of new road and footway improvements to help prevent potholes will be put into action by City of Wolverhampton Council.
A budget of £9.2 million for the highways capital programme 2025/26 was bolstered by an additional £500,000 council investment to help fix and prevent surface defects at last month’s council cabinet meeting.
It will see dozens of roads and footways across the city given a new lease of life.
Roads included in the approved programme of improvements for 2025/26 – a mixture of resurfacing and surface dressing – can be seen in the list below along with approved footway improvements, with others to be confirmed.
Councillor Qaiser Azeem, City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Green City, said: “Addressing potholes is a priority for City of Wolverhampton Council as we understand how important a safe and well maintained highways network is for all modes of transport.“While we carry out thousands of repairs to potholes every year, and will continue to do so, prevention work is key in the long term.“That is why we are investing in a further programme of resurfacing and other surface treatments informed by condition surveys and inspections across the network, identifying where improvements can make the most difference.“This approach is considered best practice nationally and will help us to reduce the need for reactive repairs in the long run.”Surface dressing can extend the life of roads, reducing the need for reactive repairs. It is completed quickly with little disruption to traffic. Where more extensive work is required, full resurfacing projects are completed.
Over the past 5 years the council has treated more than 560 square kilometres of carriageway by resurfacing or surface dressing and repaired more than 58,000 defects in roads and footways – up to 44 per working day.
Pothole repairs are carried out throughout the year too as the council strikes a balance between preventative and reactive work. The highways capital programme also funds road safety and traffic management work, upgrades to car parks, streetlighting upgrades and more.
PIC-WOLVERHALPTON COUNCILroad-bridge
31 March 2025Highway News
Options Considered – And Ruled Out – For Hammersmith Bridge FutureMore details have emerged about the first meeting in three years of the Hammersmith Bridge Task Force, which is considering what to do about the London river crossing which has been closed for six years because of structural safety issues.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) has obtained minutes of the meeting on 30 January through a Freedom of Information request. It has found that proposals to turn the bridge into a completely inaccessible “monument”, or to demolish and replace it with a brand new river crossing, were both suggested by the Government but rejected by the group, which is made up of Department for Transport officials, council representatives, MPs on either side of the bridge, Transport for London, and London’s deputy mayor for transport, Seb Dance.
It says one option being considered is to reopen the bridge for all users, including motor vehicles, by building a temporary, double-decker truss through the existing bridge to allow the structure to be repaired while vehicles drive through it. Other options on the table are bridge repair and restoration, sufficient to allow for active travel (pedestrians and cyclists) only plus two single decker buses or bridge repair and restoration, sufficient to allow for pedestrians and cyclists only.
You can read a full report into what the LDRS has found on FulhamSW6.com here.
(Picture – LBHF)road-bridge
31 March 2025Highway News
Durham Pcc Commits To Safer Roads With Raft Of InitiativesThe Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham is committing to safer roads by promising more mobile speed cameras and new awareness and education campaigns to promote safe driving.
Joy Allen told the Northern Echo newspaper: “People continuously contact me with concerns about speeding vehicles and safety for all road users. It is a fact that too many people are killed or seriously injured on the roads.”
In an article she shared on her LinkedIn page, she’s quoted as saying: “We know from our extensive engagement work the public want to help us make our roads safer, whether that is by submitting dashcam footage, being part of a local community speed watch scheme or most importantly using our roads and shared spaces responsibly and abiding by the laws of the road.”
She also talked about public education around drink-driving, with her quoted as saying: “Drink or drug driving is a selfish and inexcusable act. It is vital our justice system sufficiently punishes those who recklessly gamble with people’s lives and cause these devastating tragedies to prevent them from harming other innocent people in the future.”
In January, Ms Allen, who is Association of PCCs joint lead on policing and transport told a Project EDWARD event in Parliament: “Last year’s operation involved 44 police forces across England and Wales and nearly 50,000 breath tests, almost 10% of these tested positive, failed or refused,” she said. “Nearly 7,000 drug tests were conducted, with nearly 50% of these testing positive, and our police officers, thankfully made thousands of arrests as a result, drivers who put themselves and other road users in danger through alcohol and drugs deserve to pay a high price for their recklessness and selfishness.”
(Picture – Yay Images)road-bridge
31 March 2025Highway News
Lower Thames Crossing Partners Hail Pivotal Decision On Road To GrowthCascade, the Technical Partner on the Lower Thames Crossing and who supported development of the Development Consent Order, have issued a statement regarding the Government’s decision earlier this week.
“We are delighted that the Lower Thames Crossing has received planning permission from the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP on Tuesday 25 March. This pivotal decision marks a significant step forward in the government’s Plan for Change, to drive growth and enhance connectivity and infrastructure in the region.
“Jacobs, Arcadis, and COWI are proud to be contributing to National Highways vision for the Lower Thames Crossing. Together, we’ve played a key role in bringing this project to life – ensuring communities and stakeholders have a voice in shaping its future. As a pathfinder, the Lower Thames Crossing is looking for ways to accelerate change across construction. Our people have brought their expertise and passion to help National Highways fundamentally changing how we deliver strategically important infrastructure in the UK.
“It will alleviate the decades-long congestion that has acted as a handbrake on local growth and create significant opportunities for jobs and skills development within the local communities.
“We extend our thanks to all stakeholders involved in this process, and we look forward to the continued partnership with the government, local authorities, and communities as we embark on this exciting journey toward a more connected future.”
Kate Kenny, Executive Vice President Europe for Jacobs, said, “The news that the government has given the Lower Thames Crossing the green light is a huge moment for the region and the UK. This ambitious project will not only transform journeys and tackle long-standing barriers to opportunity, but will drive economic growth in a way that restores nature and leaves a legacy of local jobs and skills. We’re immensely proud of our role helping National Highways create a new modern blueprint for building inclusive, low-carbon projects, and look forward to supporting it as it moves into delivery.”
Paul Dennett, Arcadis Mobility Director UK & Ireland, said “This is a hugely significant milestone for this major project that has seen the very best of public and private sector collaboration to deliver on a scheme that has the potential to kickstart major economic growth.
“I am immensely proud of the expertise, dedication and commitment of our team, and the wide range of professional services we have provided, in order to get this Development Consent Order decision over the line. We look forward to continuing to work on Lower Thames Crossing as the project now moves into the delivery phase.”
Andy Sloan, Managing Director, COWI in the UK & Ireland said, “The Lower Thames Crossing is a transformative project that will enhance connectivity and provide much needed capacity for road users, across the Thames east of London, while establishing a new standard for sustainable infrastructure development in the UK.
“Investment into infrastructure, like the Lower Thames Crossing, are essential for unlocking the UK’s economic potential. By enhancing transport networks, promoting sustainable energy and improving infrastructure, we can foster innovation and create jobs, paving the way for a prosperous future that benefits communities across the UK. This decision comes after a rigorous examination from independent experts and I am extremely proud of our team who have worked tirelessly over the years to reach this momentous day.”
(Pic: National Highways)road-bridge
28 March 2025Highway News
Clearview Intelligence Solarlite Road Stud Wins Live Labs “Dragons’ Den”A solar-powered road stud solution being used in the East Riding of Yorkshire to reduce emissions from streetlighting has won a “Dragons’ Den”-style pitching session at the ADEPT Live Labs 2 expo.
The Clearview Intelligence SolarLite solution uses solar powered illuminated road studs to provide Lane delineation to examine how they can be used instead of streetlighting, cutting carbon and light pollution while maintaining safety.
“We truly feel this is a transformative solution to change the way we light our roads whilst ensuring safety runs through the veins of our decarbonising agenda,” commented Head of Business Development Ralph Bates. “Extended thanks to our Live Labs project team headed up by Karl Rourke and John Lamb for believing in this solution and helping us take things to the next level.”
The solution was chosen among a range of Net Zero-focussed solutions presented at the meeting in Liverpool to ‘Dragons’ Rupert Furness, Deputy Director, Local Highways and Active Travel at the Department for Transport, Angela Halliwell, Head of Carbon and Air Quality Group at National Highways, and Mike Batheram, Market Director for Local Transport from Atkins Réalis.
“This project is already receiving early recognition, with a view to be setting a new standard for lighting design and supporting the DfT with a step change in the normalisation and uptake of low carbon solutions,” Ralph Bates continued. “Local residents to the test beds in East Riding of Yorkshire have already provided overwhelmingly positive feedback and encourage the replacement of traditional lighting columns with this new low carbon delineation solution which gives them back their dark skies and maintains/improves road safety.
“Rather than local authorities designing in swathes of street lighting on new road developments, because that’s what they’ve always done, they can actually now be better informed. We can show that there’s a better way of doing things with huge carbon savings as well as huge financial savings.”
You can view the slides from Ralph Bates’ presentation here.
(Picture – ADEPT)road-bridge
28 March 2025New Civil Engineer (Bridge)
92T Span Of New Footbridge Installed For £14.5M Eaglescliffe Station UpgradeThe revamped Eaglescliffe station in County Durham has seen the 92t span of its new footbridge lifted into place in a three-hour operation.
The installation, carried out by a team of 15 staff from contractor Bam, marks a key milestone in an ongoing £14.5M project to overhaul the station on the Tees Valley Line.
The newly installed steel structure, measuring 56m in length, is designed to enhance accessibility for passengers. It will include three lifts that will connect both the existing car park and a newly constructed car park to the station’s island platform.
Funding for the project has been sourced from multiple channels: £9.2M from the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), £3.25M from Network Rail and £2M from the Department for Transport. This financial backing is aimed at addressing long-standing access issues at Eaglescliffe and aims to revitalise the station experience for users.
During the renovation, the existing footbridge will be kept in place to ensure continuous access to the station, providing an essential emergency exit as construction progresses.
In addition, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is spearheading the development of a new car park to the west of the station. This initiative also includes improvements to cycle and pedestrian access, further enhancing connectivity for those travelling to and from Eaglescliffe.
This project receives additional support from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, allocations from the Levelling Up Fund for Stockton South, and the Indigenous Growth Fund secured by the local authority.
The station improvements represent a broader commitment to modernise transport infrastructure and improve accessibility across the region.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This lift marks a big milestone on getting this project completed and ready. Eaglescliffe offers a crucial link to major stations south of us and its access has been below par for far too long.
“It’s great to see steel going in the ground and the project now taking shape – and it’s also pleasing to have our friends at Stockton Council getting on with their side of the job and getting the new car park sorted.
“Ultimately, this project and the work going on around the station will make things better and simpler for people working at fantastic firms on Durham Lane Industrial Estate – and for everyone who wants to use Eaglescliffe for travel.
“We’ve pumped the money in to get this done to ensure people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool have the railway they deserve.”
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council leader and TVCA cabinet member Bob Cook said: “Eaglescliffe Station is an important transport link for the borough and the wider Tees Valley because of its connection with major stations up and down the country.
“The new car park is located on part of the Durham Lane site purchased by the Council, and new cycleways will complement the wider improvements being made.
“Working together, this will provide improvements which should be another draw to businesses looking to invest in Durham Lane Industrial Estate – and serve some of the vital international businesses we have on the site.”
Network Rail North and East route principal programme sponsor Anna Weeks said: “This achievement marks an important milestone in improving accessibility at Eaglescliffe station. The bridge installation demonstrates our commitment to working collaboratively with partners to deliver better passenger facilities.
“We’re proud to invest significantly in this vital project that will transform the travel experience, creating a more inclusive railway network for everyone in the Tees Valley region.”
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27 March 2025Highway News
Rotof 2025: Industry Leaders Gather To Shape The Future Of Road Tunnel SafetyThe 2025 Road Tunnel Operators Forum (RoTOF) took centre stage at Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel on 18-19 March, bringing together leading voices in tunnel safety, operations, and technology.Hosted by Dalkia, a recognised leader in road tunnel infrastructure, the two-day event provided a vital platform for experts, policymakers, and suppliers to explore the latest advancements shaping the future of tunnel management.With more than 20 major road tunnel refurbishments completed across the UK since 2010, Dalkia has played a key role in delivering large-scale infrastructure solutions, from LED lighting and fire suppression to ventilation and integrated tunnel control systems. Hosting RoTOF 2025 reinforced the company’s commitment to drivinginnovation, improving safety, and fostering industry-wide collaboration.Tackling Industry Challenges and InnovationsThe conference opened with a welcome address from Dalkia, followed by a deep dive into the company’s expertise, including a case study on its refurbishment of the recently Queensway Tunnel upgrade. This set the stage for a packed schedule of expert-led sessions featuring speakers from Atkins Realis, the Road TunnelAssociation, Signify, Liverpool City Region, and Zitron. Key topics included emerging safety regulations, smart technology integration, and sustainable infrastructure solutions.Lively Q&A discussions gave delegates the chance to engage directly with speakers, challenging conventional thinking and exploring practical solutions to the industry’s most pressing challenges. Meanwhile, the associated exhibition showcased some of the latest advancements in tunnel operations, with leading suppliers demonstrating cutting-edge innovations designed to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability.Shaping the Future of Tunnel OperationsDay two continued the momentum, with sessions featuring Mott MacDonald, Teledyne FLIR, Dublin Port Tunnel, PDS, and Codra, among others. One of the key moments of the day was an address from Dalkia UK’s CEO, who highlighted the company’s role in supporting road tunnel operators with solutions that enhancesafety, efficiency, and sustainability. The forum closed with updates from PIARC and ITA-COSUF, setting the industry’s agenda for the months ahead.
The Verdict: A Resounding SuccessBy the time the final discussions wrapped up, one thing was clear – RoTOF 2025 was a resounding success. With industry leaders, technology pioneers, and key decision-makers coming together under one roof, the event reinforced its reputation as a must-attend forum for anyone invested in the future of road tunnel operations.
(Pic: Dalkia Engineering/Jeff Evans)road-bridge
27 March 2025Highway News
Leicester: Latest Stage Of Narborough Road Highway Improvements To BeginThe latest phase in a rolling programme of repairs and improvements to pavements and road surfaces along Narborough Road in Leicester will get under way this weekend.
Leicester City Council is carrying out the works to spruce up public areas for local businesses and residents. The latest works focusing on the footways on the outbound section of Narborough Road between Norman Street and Equity Road, and on the inbound section between Cambridge Street and Westcotes Drive.
The scheme will involve replacing broken paving slabs with concrete blocks, improving drainage to prevent water from pooling on the pavements, and placing water-permeable resin-bound gravel around the street trees. New bollards will also be installed, as well as new cycle racks, which will help stop vehicles parking on the pavement.
The works, costing £350,000 and funded by the council’s Highways Maintenance Capital Budget, are due to begin on Sunday 30 March and will take around six months to complete.
Waiting restrictions will be in place where work is taking place and some parking bays in nearby Paton Street will be out of use while they are used for storing essential equipment and materials.
Investment in the area in recent years has already improved footways on the outbound side of Narborough Road, between its junctions with Norman Street and Briton Street and Ruding Road and Roman Street, along with the area between Upperton Road and Braunstone Gate.
Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: “This rolling programme of works has hugely improved Narborough Road for local businesses, residents and visitors by upgrading footpaths, installing new street furniture and fixing drainage problems.
“This latest scheme will continue to upgrade the area, helping to further improve the look and feel of the neighbourhood.”
(Pic: Leicester City Council)road-bridge
27 March 2025roads & bridges
The Lasting Impact Of The Key Bridge CollapseYesterday marks one year since the catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The tragic event, caused by the Dali cargo ship crashing into the structure, claimed the lives of six construction workers and left a lasting imprint on the region.
While the wreckage was swiftly removed and port operations resumed within months, the disruption to daily life continues to be deeply felt.
For many residents, the absence of the Key Bridge has reshaped how they navigate their daily routines, according to a report from WTOP News. Commuters have faced increased congestion in the Fort McHenry and Baltimore Harbor tunnels, with traffic volume up by 15% and 7%, respectively, according to the report.
Peak-hour travel times have increased by up to 25 minutes, forcing many to plan their trips around the gridlock. The added fuel costs, longer hours on the road and increased vehicle wear have taken a toll, particularly on truck drivers who relied on the bridge for swift transport.
Beyond the logistical hardships, the bridge collapse has had lasting emotional consequences. In the wake of the disaster, artist Roberto Marquez created a memorial along Fort Smallwood Road to honor the six workers who lost their lives, according to a report from CBS.
Families of the victims, community members and even visitors from outside Baltimore have stopped to pay their respects, leaving flowers, notes and other tributes at the site.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Museum of Industry is working to preserve the bridge’s legacy with a dedicated exhibit set to open in 2027.
The museum has secured a grant to fund part of the project and continues to raise additional resources to ensure the exhibit captures the full historical and emotional weight of the collapse.
Currently, plans for the new Key Bridge are moving forward, with state and federal officials working on designs that will improve traffic flow and enhance structural integrity.
Funding has been allocated for the project, and preliminary construction efforts, including site preparation and environmental assessments, are already underway.
Source: WTOP News, CBS Newsroad-bridge
27 March 2025Highway News
M49 Link Road Lighting Upgrade CompletedCU Phosco, in partnership with Mway Comms, has successfully upgraded the lighting along the M49 link road in Gloucestershire, replacing outdated SON lighting with advanced P862 LED luminaires. This project, initiated by National Highways, is part of a £126m Nationwide Project aimed at significantly improving energy efficiency, safety, and greatly decreasing the CO2 footprint of the road lighting in accordance with the current National Highways drive lower CO2 emissions.
Unique in that it is only accessible from other motorways, the M49 motorway is a critical route in England, linking the M4 (J22) with the M5 (J18A). Constructed alongside the Prince of Wales Bridge in 1996, the M49 provides essential connectivity for motorists between the outskirts of Avonmouth and South Wales. Due to its importance in facilitating regional travel, National Highways sought to modernise the road’s lighting to reduce maintenance costs and improve energy efficiency.In 2019, National Highways Area 1/2 engaged CU Phosco to design a comprehensive lighting solution for the M49 link road. This project, spanning the 5-mile stretch between the M4 and M5, aimed to replace ageing SON lighting with modern, energy-efficient alternatives. Although delayed due to cable infrastructure challenges, the lighting redesign was completed in 2023, allowing CU Phosco to partner with Mway Comms for installation.CU Phosco worked closely with National Highways and Mway Comms to deliver a solution to optimise safety and efficiency along the M49. A total of 255 P862 LED luminaires with ANSI Nema sockets to accommodate the Lucy Zodion CMS were installed, replacing the outdated SON stock. The P862 luminaire, known for its superior optical performance and thermal management, was chosen for its ability to meet National Highways’ strict specifications and supplied, including safety Tether kits.The P862’s dark sky certification ensures minimal light pollution, while its lightweight design and low wind profile made it ideal for installation on existing lighting columns. This project utilised various outputs and bespoke hybrid optics to complement its future-proof design, offering an optimal balance of efficiency, longevity, and performance.
The new LED lighting system significantly enhanced visibility and safety along the M49 while also delivering substantial energy savings, helping to align with National Highways’ sustainability goals.
Stuart Griffin, Contracts Manager, Mway Comms comments, “Mway Comms and CU Phosco have worked closely to deliver this lighting scheme. Early supplier involvement ensured that all lanterns were delivered in advance of the planned install date to allow for detailed planning to be undertaken, in what has turned out to be a very busy section of the national motorway system. Other major projects in the vicinity, that were utilising the M49 as part of their diversion route restricted the access for installation, but with all 350 lanterns available from the start, works could be rescheduled at short notice to minimise time lost to cancelled road space.”
(Pic: CU Phosco)road-bridge
27 March 2025Highway News
‘Uproar’ Over Bridge That Has Been Closed To Traffic For Seven YearsA bridge owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Wales has been closed to traffic for seven years due to safety worries and there is no sign of it reopening any time soon. Inglis Bridge in Monmouth connects the Osbaston estate to the west of Monmouth and in recent years has only been open to pedestrians.
But even walkers can no longer use the bridge now because of structural worries. The MoD owns the bridge because it was designed by Charles Edward Inglis, the director of the bridging department of the Royal Engineers, during World War I, and the bridge is a type of military bridge, says Wales Online.
The listed structure was closed to vehicles in 2018 but remained open to walkers and cyclists until last year before it was deemed completely unsafe for any public use. For many – including children and their parents at the Church in Wales Osbaston School – it means a more than one-mile detour.
Labour MP for Monmouthshire Catherine Fookes said an alternative, even if a temporary and cheaper solution, needs to be found. “The closure of Inglis Bridge has caused significant disruption for residents in Osbaston – including families, schoolchildren, people with disabilities, cyclists and dog walkers,” she said.
“I’ve raised this issue with the Ministry of Defence at every opportunity and have been pushing hard for a solution that works for the whole community. While a full refurbishment may be expensive, we have been looking into the prospect of a simpler pedestrian only alternative, which families at Osbaston School have overwhelmingly supported. As we wait to hear back with an update from the MoD, I will continue to do everything I can to make sure this vital route is reopened as soon as possible.”
(Pic: Wikipedia)road-bridge
26 March 2025