Transport Minister Nusrat Ghani attended the five day PIARC congress over the weekend to promote and champion the country’s position as a forerunner in the building, design and maintenance of roads.

“The UK is a world leader in understanding, managing and maintaining highway networks, which is why it is so important that we draw on our global networks to share best practice,” she said.

During the visit the Minister met with key stakeholders representing the UK highways industry as well as senior officials responsible for transport in several nations, to discuss how best practice can be shared.

Also in attendance to support the UK’s presence at the congress was Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure & Connectivity Michael Matheson, as well as CIHT.

The Institution has been participating in a number of sessions including those on gender equity, skills, road safety and cooperation strategies between different roads authorities.

The Institution’s chief executive Sue Percy commented: “I welcome the fact that PIARC for the first time has held foresight sessions on both disabilities and gender equality. These are essential topics globally for the sector and I hope PIARC is able to mainstream these across all its activities.”

A panel session on Monday focused on the importance of considering women in highways and transportation and on Tuesday a session explored the need for inclusive road transport that enabled independent travel by those with disabilities.

The congress opened on 6 October and closes on Thursday, attracting thousands of road transport professionals and more than 300 exhibitors from the private and public sectors across the world.