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Reducing the impact of highway works on road users

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The Project

Streetworks (works carried out by statutory undertakers like utility companies using equipment and machinery on, or under, the road) and roadworks (works carried out to repair or improve the highway including footways, carriageways and street lighting) both occur on a highways network which is ageing and, generally, in decline.

Everyone relies on the local highway network, which is why disruptions created by highway works are a strong source of public frustration. These frustrations are compounded by inefficiency in maintenance practices, which create issues around congestion, have a detrimental impact on road and street quality and create accessibility issues for users. All of which create additional costs for authorities in an already limited funding environment.

CIHT has written a report to support the efficient delivery of these works, this report highlights some of the challenges and opportunities for authorities and works promoters and provides a set of recommendations for government in amending the regulatory environment around highway works.

How has this report been developed?

This report is being developed with the support of the CIHT Partnership Network, the CIHT Technical Champions and experts in the sector.

Insight is being gained through a series of research and engagement activities:

call for evidence
workshops
interviews

What's in the report?

Key facts and figures about the disruption caused by works, looking at both the impact on user journeys and the cost implications.
Insights into some of the challenges and opportunities facing practitioners, such as issues in the legal framework, the regulatory environment and resource limitations.
Case study evidence sharing best practice examples of collaboration in the sector, innovations in data and monitoring, implementation of new technologies and materials, and effective uses of surplus lane rental funding.
A set of recommendations for government intervention to embed a collaboration-first approach to street works and road works.

Key Takeaways

A collaboration-first approach to works is essential: There is a need to embed a “collaboration-first” approach among all stakeholders involved in street works and road works. Effective collaboration between highway authorities, utility companies, contractors, and developers is seen as the most effective way to reduce disruption for road users and improve efficiency.
Barriers to collaboration must be addressed: There are significant barriers to wider use of collaboration in the sector, including legislative limitations, regulatory and compliance challenges and knowledge and resource gaps. These barriers must be addressed if collaborative works are going to become more prevalent across the sector.
Strong potential for innovation: There are some successful examples of collaborative practices taking place already, including joint working, data sharing, and the use of advanced technologies and materials to minimise disruption. Innovations such as joint trenching, real-time data dashboards, AI-powered road condition monitoring, and new materials for faster repairs are already delivering benefits in some areas. Wider adoption of these practices, supported by improved data and knowledge sharing, can significantly reduce the impact of works on road users while fostering innovation in the sector.
Government intervention is vital: The report highlights the need for government-led change to help create a collaboration-oriented environment for highway works. Many of the barriers to collaboration will require government intervention to resolve, which is why government-led change is so vital. While the UK Government has recently rejected similar recommendations made by the UK Transport Committee, CIHT asks the Government to reflect on the feedback that the industry has provided, through both the Transport Committee’s report and CIHT’s report, and to reconsider its response in light of this as we believe that many of the recommendations are viable.