National Highways backtracks on pollution countermeasures claim

21/09/2023 | CHRIS AMES

National Highways has struggled to identify measures to tackle unlawful pollution levels on parts of its network, despite telling Parliament that it was already implementing countermeasures.

According to the latest annual assessment by the company’s monitor, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), 43 links on the strategic road network (SRN) breached legally binding limits on Nitrogen Dioxide in 2022-23.

This was an increase of 38.7% on the 31 links reported in the previous two years.

In its statutory annual report to Parliament (above), National Highways stated that, with the Department for Transport having already accepted that 15 links currently have no viable additional mitigation, it was ‘implementing air quality improvement measures for the remaining 28 links’.

However, in its 2022-23 annual assessment (below), the ORR noted that the company had put measures in place on eight of the 28 links and was ‘working to identify appropriate measures for the remaining 20’. The eight measures that were put in place were all speed reductions.

Both documents were published in July of this year.

Asked by Highways to comment on the disparity, National Highways denied that there was one, but stated: ‘For the remaining 20, we’ve been working to investigate whether we can introduce any of the measures available to National Highways to improve air quality’.

The admission that National Highways is investigating whether any measures can be introduced contradicts its previous assertion the interventions are already being 'implemented'.

The statement also implies that some links may have no viable mitigation measures.

National Highways has a KPI requiring it to bring links with illegal levels of NO2 into compliance ‘in the shortest time possible’ and the ORR is responsible for holding the company to account on this.

The ORR noted that National Highways was designing and implementing measures for the remaining 28 links with potential unlawful air quality, had put measures in place on eight and was ‘working to identify appropriate measures for the remaining 20’.

‘We are content with the progress that the company has made to deliver these measures,’ the ORR stated.

In a July 2021 report, National Highways, then known as Highways England, said there were 17 areas breaching air quality limits for which no solution was available, adding that five of these were provisionally forecast to be legally compliant in 2021.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Traffic Management Technician - WMF2240e

£28,598 - £29,540
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking a committed and technically capable individual to join our Traffic Management Team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Technician-Road Closures

£35,422 - £38,730
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic and a team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technician - Road Closures (2 Posts)

£29,719 - £31,691
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic, an excellent team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Structures Inspector

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for two Permanent Structure Inspectors to join our dynamic SBIM team Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Site Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Site Manager Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Principal Commercial Manager

£Competitive
The SBIM contract involves delivering inspection and maintenance programmes for National Highways Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Commercial Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Senior Commercial Manager Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives. Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Managing QS

£Competitive
In this role, you will support the Senior Commercial team in the end to end commercial process for the Area 12 contract. Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Inspection Officer

£32,962 - £36,791 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Highways Inspection Officer to join us! Windsor, Berkshire
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537
Are you looking for a varied role in a dynamic and innovative team environment that can make a real difference to North Yorkshire’s highways? Leeming Bar, Northallerton
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Street Lighting Electrical Inspector

£34,434 - £38,220 per annum
Do you hold an ONC in electrical engineering or City & Guilds Electrician? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior bridge Engineer - WMF2212e

£47,181 - £48,226
You will be the key responsible engineer for this area and will also provide technical advice and guidance to our team Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF2221e

£28,598 - £29,540
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bridge Engineer - WMF2219e

£42,839 - £44,075
We are currently seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic Bridge Engineer Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Public Transport Officer

£42,839 - £46,142
We are looking for an experienced public transport professional to become our Senior Public Transport Officer. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) (Fixed-Term)

£48,226-£51,356
We are looking for an experienced professional to join as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Mobile Street Scene Operative

£24,796 to £25,989 per annum
The Waste and Street Scene department requires enthusiastic and committed mobile street cleansing operative. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Technician - Highways Design (2 Posts)

Grade 10 £35,422 - 38,730 per annum
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Professional Services Section Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire 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