29 July 2010
Blueprint to Improve Performance Efficiencies
A blueprint to improve performance and efficiency in the highways maintenance industry to aid cash-strapped councils under fire from government cuts is being produced by a leading trade body.
28 July 2010
New Head for Britains Leading Highways Trade Body
The new head of Britain’s leading highways trade body has vowed to ‘develop stronger, productive and results-orientated outcomes across the sector’ despite the pressures of Government spending cuts.
Philip Hoare was appointed new chairman of the Highways Term Maintenance Association (HTMA) at the organisations AGM in London last week and immediately committed the organisation to further improving the quality of highways management and maintenance in a bid to reinforce the message that reliable and safe roads are paramount to the social and economic needs of the nation.
17 November 2009
Volume of road accidents can be reduced with a simple change in attitude
In response to the recently published 2008 statistics from the Department for Transport (DfT), the HTMA are urging drivers to not only become more aware of what is around them, but to also modify their driving behaviour and adapt accordingly to the changing environment and situations.
The DfT report identifies that the main contributory factors to road accidents are: drivers failing to look properly, exceeding the speed limit and travelling too fast for conditions.
In addition to the casualties suffered by other drivers and passengers, inappropriate driving behaviour puts the contractors working on the roads in danger. According to recent research by the HTMA, the poor driving behaviours of motorists are responsible for almost all of the 2,200 accidents that occur every year at roadwork sites in Britain.
Mike Notman, HTMA Chairman commented: "It is encouraging that the DfT report suggests there is progress towards the Government’s 2010 casualty reduction targets, however the numbers are still high.”
“Our members are working hard at ensuring the roads are maintained to a high standard and improving the products and materials that go into maintaining roads. A lot of effort is going into adapting to the changing climate and investing in the future maintenance of roads so they continue to be in good condition for road users. Despite all this work, to achieve the ultimate goal of having safe roads we do need everyone to play their part and this includes drivers being responsible and managing their driving behaviour.”
“With a bit more care and consideration whilst driving through road works the statistics will improve, helping the achievement of the reduction targets to become a reality.”
About the HTMA
The HTMA is the trade body for the UK highways maintenance industry. The industry turnover is in excess of £3 billion employing around 20,000 people. 400,000km of UK roads are managed and maintained – crucial to the wellbeing of the nation.
The HTMA members are: Amey, Atkins, Balfour Beatty, BAM Nuttall, BEAR, Carillion, Colas, Enterprise, Volker Highways, Halcrow, Hyder, Jacobs, May Gurney, Morrison, Mott MacDonald, Mouchel, Ringway, Scott Wilson, Skanska McNicholas, and WSP.
Issued on behalf of the HTMA Press Office by thePRfirm . For enquiries from the media, journalists and researchers only, the HTMA Press Office can be contacted on +44 (0) 1782 443080, +44 (0) 7917 638336 or e-mail: info@htma.co.uk