Exclusive: 'Mad March' no more? National Highways works on seasonal optimisation

03/05/2023 | DOMINIC BROWNE

National Highways has formed a new working group with an early goal of co-ordinating works for seasonal optimisation, helping increase the durability of finished asphalt and tackle 'Mad March' issues, Highways can reveal.

Due to the pressures of work and funding timetables, the highways sector has often raised concerns that some materials may not be laid at the optimum time of year.

In the local network in particular, works are often rushed out in good weather towards the end of the financial year - leading to the phenomenon known in the industry as 'Mad March'.

National Highways is now working with industry and Tier One contractors such as Tarmac, to address the issue by developing a seasonal matrix and a plan to co-ordinate work around it.

The work is being done under the newly formed 'Improving quality' sub-group of National Highways' pavement optimisation group, which includes both industry and National Highways members.

Technical director at Tarmac, Brian Kent, told Highways: 'I sit on the National Highways pavement optimisation group and we have a new sub-group looking at [seasonal optimisation] now. Because National Highways has a five-year budget, they can do this.

'There actually needs to be an edict, but in terms of what needs to be done on each section of road, we have that data. It is as simple as saying we lay the thin material in the summer because we get full compaction with no issues, and then lay thick material in winter to get good heat retention so we can compact it better. One of the issues we have had for a long, long time is trying to lay super thin materials in a night shift in December or January.

'The view we have in the optimisation group at the moment is that with National Highways' support there is nothing to stop us now. So I think that will happen in the next 12- 18 months.

'I am not saying it is easy. There is a lot of planning and co-ordination. But it is possible. From my point of view as a national supplier, as a contractor that lays material, the first challenge is to produce a seasonal matrix. These are the products we think you can lay in the winter, these are products we think you should avoid laying in winter.'

Sitting under National Highways' pavement optimisation group (POG) are the following sub-groups:

1. Closures and maximising the working window

2. Increasing Productivity

3. Improving Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)

4. Rolling out and following through new initiatives

5. Increasing and capturing non-cost efficiencies (incl. Carbon)

6. Appropriate use of preventative maintenance

7. Improving quality

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness 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