A lack of collaboration across the supply chain and lack of knowledge about the sustainable materials and systems available, is hindering the highways industry from making real progress in becoming truly sustainable.

The HTMA recently carried out a survey within the highways industry, which looked at barriers to incorporating and developing sustainability.  From the survey, almost 80 per cent of respondents felt they required more information regarding the range of sustainable solutions available.  People felt they knew about road surfacing and recycling solutions, but that there was a need for more information, in particular, on sustainable design solutions.

David Hutchinson, HTMA Executive Director, stated: “By listening to those working across the industry, we know that sustainability is being addressed by all the key players.  But to some degree, there is a lack of knowledge and it would help if organisations could liaise and share information on best practice.

“Within the HTMA membership we are committed to sharing best practice and ideas and we now need to extend this by working more closely with other key organisations and stakeholders in the industry, at the early stages of any decision making or project planning.”  

The HTMA is working on forging closer links with the highways authorities, ADEPT (formally CSS) and other organisations this year.  It has recently introduced an Associate Membership category that is open to companies (or a division or unit of a company) that are active in the highways maintenance market or form part of a consortium and/or joint venture business participant in the market.  Hopefully this will encourage involvement from a larger proportion of the supply chain and increase the knowledge base.

All respondents to the survey said they felt sustainability would be a key priority for the highways maintenance industry in five year’s time and it will continue to be an important influence on decisions regarding projects, materials and services.

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