The UK highways sector needs to be at the centre of economic recovery. Aside from its potential for ‘shovel-ready’ projects for investment it already supports the door-to-door delivery of commerce, goods, services and leisure. To make sure the UK is ready for economic recovery, this essential frontline service still needs to be maintained as fit for purpose.
It is clear that the highways industry in the broadest sense - clients, operators and suppliers - will be operating in an environment of “more for less” for the foreseeable future. The key focus for the sector is therefore likely to be on management and operation of an already strained network against a background of austere and reducing budgets. Therefore the industry needs, through innovation at all levels, the means to deliver a cost effective, sustainably funded maintenance service as well as products and processes to deliver and protect the essential highways asset. Under the clouds of recession, is it possible that research and development is forced to take a back seat in that delivery chain? Is industry innovation itself in recession? Is recession a driver for innovation?
The focus of this year’s event will primarily be on asphalt product and process innovation. “Asphalt 2012 – Innovation in Recession” will draw on the expertise
and experience of the speakers to demonstrate that despite the difficulties in securing and sustaining funding for maintenance, the sector can continue to
innovate, develop new ideas, alter thinking and thereby progress sustainably and responsibly. Case Studies and debate will demonstrate how the industry
is responding to, and delivering real solutions to real issues. The political background and pressures for delivering innovations and efficiencies will also
be addressed.
Why you should attend:
Financial pressures are now probably the most critical in defining how highways are maintained rather than traditional technical aspects. It is therefore important for all those in the sector to understand those constraints in order to drive new thinking and innovation. Delegates should hope to gain an appreciation of the drivers, solutions and available options for sustainable delivery of highway maintenance funding, materials and associated services.
From client procurement to pavement and material design, through production and installation operations via asset management, the drive towards getting “more for less” is already dominating how the sector operates. The road to economic recovery will not be a short or smooth one. The highways industry has a key part to play in ensuring that UK plc maintains an efficient highway network that supports and drives the overall economy. What is innovative today may be routine in years to come, and the speed of change will only accelerate. This Conference is an opportunity to see how current thinking is being driven and to identify some of the current and likely outputs.
Asphalt 2012 will draw upon a panel of leading specialists from the broad highways construction and maintenance community, including highways authorities, and themes to be addressed include:
Benefits of attending - delegates should expect to gain:
This event is verified for CPD.
Who should attend?
Practitioners from all sectors of the highways construction and maintenance community, including:
Delegates will have opportunities to question the speakers on the content of their presentations and wider issues should time allow.
To review draft flier and booking form, please download document below:
Asphalt Conference 23 Nov 2012 Programme and Booking Form
To review draft programme, please download document below:
Asphalt - 23 Nov 2012 Programme
Venue:
Heritage Motor Museum & Conference Centre
Banbury Road
Gaydon
Warwickshire
CV35 0BJ
Bookings&Enquiries:
Please complete booking form which is located above and return with payment to:
Mary Burling,
Mineral Products Association,
38-44 Gillingham Street,
London SW1V 1HU
Tel: 020 7963 8003
Fax: 020 7963 8001
Email: mary.burling@mineralproducts.org
Got a question?
t: +44 (0)20 7336 1555
e: info@ciht.org.uk