Cascade chosen as software partner in Area 9

Cascade Software is working with EM Highway Services to manage and check all abnormal load notifications within Area 9 on behalf of the Highways Agency.

EM Highway Services, who took over the Area 9 contract on 1 July 2014, selected the firm’s abnormal loads notification, bridge checking and management product AbLoads.

Scott Cooper, Area 9 general manager, said: “AbLoads was already being successfully used within Area 9 by the previous operator. After meeting with Cascade, seeing AbLoads in action and understanding the depth of functionality it provides it was an easy decision to retain this valuable software tool. Area 9 is a central area receiving a high volume of notifications daily. With AbLoads in place, notifications can be processed quickly and efficiently and the assets within Area 9 safely protected.”

EM Highway Services has also elected to use the company’s AbLoads software during the contract transition.

Cooper adds: “It’s always a busy time at the start of a new contract. In order to provide a seamless switch and to ensure the continuity of the service for hauliers, Cascade will manage the abnormal loads service temporarily on our behalf.”

Sally Waterfall, managing director of Cascade Software, commented: “We are delighted to be working with EM Highway Services to support them in their newly acquired HA Area 9 ASC. AbLoads continues as the leading industry tool for abnormal loads management now processing about 60% of the UK’s abnormal load notifications across the HA network. As an outsourced service we process around 95,000 notifications each year. We are looking forward to contributing to yet another successful contract performance by our newest client, EM Highway Services.”