Exclusive: Jim O'Sullivan says 'the conventional motorway is over'

04/04/2019 | DOMINIC BROWNE

The days of the conventional motorway are over and its textbook is set for its last edition, Highways England chief executive Jim O’Sullivan (pictured) told Highways in an exclusive interview.

Network designs for new strategic roads will swap hard shoulders for periodic emergency refuge areas and a host of smart motorway features could also become standard.

‘I think the days of conventional motorways are over. I don’t think you will ever see a conventional motorway built with a hard shoulder again. That is gone. Refuge areas are safer than hard shoulders,’ Mr O’Sullivan said.

‘You will either see roads built to expressway standards including emergency refuge areas or, if the traffic volumes are lower or the operating speeds are lower, you will see dual carriageways built.’

Following his keynote speech at Traffex 2019, Mr O’Sullivan confidently predicted a major shift in public perception as he discussed Traffex’s key theme of technology driving change on the network.

‘The public feel very uncomfortable on smart motorways, which we have to accept. But I think we will reach a point where people will be uncomfortable with the idea that they are not on a CCTV camera, where there is not a stopped-vehicle detection system, where they have to stop on a hard shoulder instead of a refuge area.’

Even the way we design and build roads will, to a greater or lesser extent, have been transformed by the end of the Road Investment Strategy (RIS 2) in 2025, he said.

Highways England’s rapid engineering model – a computer-led design platform – will see smart motorways designed under a ‘rules-based system’, with almost every project involving some form of off-site modular construction.

‘This is probably the last time we will revise the DMRB [Design Manual for Roads and Bridges] as a published document because in the future it is going to be as much about rules.’

You can read the full interview in May's edition of Highways.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Professional and Technical Officer Level 2

BG11 £37,336 - £39,186
We are looking for a dynamic, technically competent, experienced Technician for this role within the Strategic Highways Maintenance Team. Bristol
Recruiter: Bristol City Council

Senior Professional and Technical Officer Level 1

BG10 £33,024 - £36,648
We are looking for a dynamic and competent person for this role within the Strategic Highways Maintenance Team. Bristol
Recruiter: Bristol City Council

Works Technician

£35,399 plus 15% UHA
The Works Technician is responsible for ensuring that the London Trams civils and off-track infrastructure is maintained. Croydon (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Transport for London

Highways Operative x2 - WMF1499e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit Highways Operatives to our Highways Service. Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Community Infrastructure Manager

£44,711 to £48,710 p.a. plus benefits
The successful applicant will lead and project manage specific infrastructure projects and assist the Climate Change & Natural Environment Manager. Cambridgeshire
Recruiter: East Cambridgeshire District Council

Assistant Service Manager (Vehicle Workshop)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum
We are looking for a highly motivated Assistant Service Manager. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

HGV/LGV Technician

£28,797 - £30,708 per annum
We are looking for a highly motivated Vehicle Mechanic to join our County Transport team. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Light Vehicle Technician County Transport – Ambergate Workshops

£28,797 - £30,708 per annum
We are looking for a highly motivated Light Vehicle Technician Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Light Vehicle Technician / MOT Tester

£14.93 - £15.92 per hour
We are looking for a highly motivated Light Vehicle Technician/MOT Tester Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Transportation Officer (Career Grade 8-9) x 2

£34,314 - £40,476
Wakefield is a growing district, with significant housing and employment developments being progressed. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Streetworks Co-ordination Supervisor

£34,314.00 - £37,035.00, Grade 8, 37 hours, Permanent
This post will be responsible for a team of 4 Co-ordinators who manage and permit works on the public highway. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Engineer - Bridges

£34,314 - £44,711.
Some working from within watercourses will be required. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highway Maintenance Engineer

Band F, SCP 26-31 (£36,124 - £40,476 per annum)
We have an exciting opportunity available within the Highways Service at Sandwell Council based at Oldbury. Sandwell, West Midlands
Recruiter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Principal Arboricultural Consultant

£46165 - £54312 per annum + Hybrid Working, Local Gov Pension
Place Services is a multi-disciplinary consultancy within Essex County Council providing environmental and planning services to the Council, local a England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Highways Area Surveyor

£37,938 - £40,476 per annum
Are you a problem solver and enjoy working with a wide variety of people? Warwick, Warwickshire
Recruiter: Warwickshire County Council

Deputy Team Leader - Transport Planning

£51,093 - £55,155 pa
To invest in our borough, we know that we also need to invest in our people. Romford, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Havering London Borough Council

Principal Engineer| Structures and Drainage

£49,764 - £53,887 Per annum
Here at Lancashire County Council, we are helping to make Lancashire the best place to live, work, visit and prosper. Lancashire
Recruiter: Lancashire County Council

Flood Risk Officer

£38,626 to £41,511 per annum
You will be passionate about delivering our Flood Risk Management Strategy Rutland
Recruiter: Rutland County Council

Highways and Streetworks Inspector

£33,366 to £35,235 per annum
You will be working closely with other Highway officers and teams to ensure the network is kept in a safe condition. Rutland
Recruiter: Rutland County Council

Travel Planning Assistant

Grade 6 £27,269 to £30,060 per annum
We have a part time opportunity available as a Travel Planning Assistant to join our Integrated Passenger Transport Team. Durham (County)
Recruiter: Durham County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW