Benchmarking of tunnelling projects against international schemes and more sophisticated use of technology are among the ambitions of Highways England’s chief executive Jim O’Sullivan as the organisation enters its third year.

 

But there will be no let up in his desire to see improvements in safety, customer service and project delivery on the strategic road network, he told TP Weekly News.

 

Speaking last week, Jim O’Sullivan said that as Highways England looks ahead towards the start of the second Road Investment Strategy in 2020 “we want to get to a world where we can benchmark costs between suppliers, regions and activities – and for large schemes we want to benchmark internationally.

 

“So for the two major tunnels we are talking about building (Stonehenge and Lower Thames) and possibly three if you include the Trans Pennine, we want to start talking to our European counterparts as they do a lot of tunnelling and our experience of road tunnelling (in England) is quite limited.”

 

In terms of technology and getting the most out of the network he says Highways England will look to become “more sophisticated in how we share information with road users and help them to make intelligent choices.” Just as important, he added, is how the organisation uses resources such as ANPR and floating data to understand traffic flows.

 

Jim O’Sullivan said that interesting data has come to light which suggests Highways England traffic officers can be five times as safe working in one region as another. As a result, he said, local practices have been reviewed to try and ensure safety for officers is as best as it can be across the network.

 

He also confirmed that trials of a new 55MPH speed limit through roadworks – as revealed by Transportation Professional in March – will begin within a year at an as yet unspecified location. “We have got to find the right scheme where this will be appropriate,” he said.

 

But he distanced himself from a suggestion by former Transport Minister Steven Norris last week that a national road pricing scheme could be on the cards, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer looks to address falling income from fuel receipts. “No one is talking to me about road pricing in the Government or Treasury; it’s just not on the agenda,” Jim O’Sullivan said.

 

He added that after two years in being Highways England remains “absolutely determined” to get safety, customer service and delivery right. “The difference between now and two years ago is now we have credibility and have earned the right to talk about the future with authority.”

 

(Photo: Highways England)