The latest survey by the HTMA has highlighted that affordability is hindering companies achieving the government’s targets for carbon reduction.

The results of the survey, that looked at barriers to incorporating and developing sustainability, showed that 83 per cent of the respondents felt that affordability is a key barrier in striving to improve sustainability, and 75 per cent strongly agreed that investing in innovation is essential for developing products and services.

However, road maintenance is often not the highest priority when budgets are being determined.  In the current climate of the potential for big cuts in local authorities’ budgets, it is going to be more difficult to find the funding for developing innovation and incorporating workable sustainable solutions in the industry.  This gives the industry a double challenge; to innovate and develop existing systems and products and to get better value for money across all activities.

HTMA Executive Director, David Hutchinson, said: “Sustainability is a key issue for the future of our industry and whilst prudent financial management is crucial, we should endeavour where possible not to block progression.  A collaborative approach by everyone involved will deliver cost savings and aid the investment that is needed.  Sustainable solutions are the way forward but they must be developed and implemented efficiently to make them genuine solutions.

“The HTMA is committed to the development of economically and environmentally sustainable highways maintenance systems for the UK and we will continue to work with others for the benefit of the industry as a whole.”

The HTMA Procurement Working Group is currently looking at the processes of competitive dialogue and collaborative procurement from a highways perspective in order to identify any opportunities for improvements that will allow more to be achieved with the same level of resource.  In addition, the group is looking to devise an industry indexation that is current and reflects the reality of how the industry works, encouraging consistent and more accurate pricing.

The Improvements & Efficiency Working Group of the HTMA is establishing the cost of inefficiencies and is aiming to collaborate with other organisations to develop more effective processes and systems.

The survey was sent out to local authorities, contractors, consultants, surveyors and engineers, all within the Highways Maintenance Industry.

Notes to editors:

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.  WJ Linkline Group is an Associate Member.

Issued on behalf of the HTMA Press Office by Joan Roemmele.  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