Following a debate on highways maintenance at Central Hall, Westminster , Christopher Chope MP hosted a reception to mark the launch of the All Party Parliamentary Group Highway Maintenance, of which he is Chaiman. The Group’s objective is to “promote understanding and awareness of the fundamental importance of the highway network, and to promote the safety, environmental, economic, and social case for a properly maintained sustainable network in the UK.
 
Christopher Chope explained:

“The All Party Parliamentary Group has been formed to raise the profile of these issues in Parliament and my colleagues and I look forward to working with Asphalt Industry Alliance members and other organisations concerned about highway maintenance to make a difference.”
 
In response, Mike Linley, Chairman of the Asphalt Industry Alliance which is providing administrative  support to the Group, welcomed the move.
 
“As an industry we are delighted that the highway maintenance service will receive the attention in political circles that it deserves” said Mike Linley. “Over the years we have all – customer, supplier and contractor alike – striven to improve the way the service is delivered but it is still hindered by under-funding.  We hope that, aided by the expert advice of independent organisations such as the Institution of Highways and Transportation, this new Group will help to lift this service from its Cinderella status.”

IHT will offer guidance and expertise to the Group and Mary Lewis, CEO of the Institution, was at the reception in support of this positive and important new initiative.

The Group includes a number of members extremely well qualified to address this issue including  current members of the Transport Committee, and members of related Groups such as the Transport Infrastructure and Trans-European Networks Group and the Lighting Group as well as previous Ministers and Shadow Ministers for Transport.