Report seeks 'greener roads at the heart of RIS2'

17/04/2018 | CHRIS AMES

Campaigners have called for a ‘green retrofit’ of the strategic road network (SRN) to make it ‘safer, greener and more in keeping with its surroundings’.

Roads and the Environment: Putting an innovative approach at the heart of RIS2, produced by the Campaign for Better Transport (CfBT) with support from the Rees Jeffreys Roads Fund, highlights examples of good practice from around the world to develop a greener approach to the strategic road network and improve the way it is designed and maintained.

The report cites a number of existing Highways England initiatives such as designated funds, the Design Panel and the review of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB).

CfBT said sets out a positive vision of how the government-owned company’s resources can be used to make the current road network safer, greener and more in keeping with its surroundings.

Chief executive Stephen Joseph said: ‘We are calling for a green retrofit of the strategic road network. From green bridges over roads to green roofs for service stations, there is great potential to change roads for the better.

‘As the Government prepares the second Road Investment Strategy, we hope this report will help deliver the vision of a road network more in harmony with the people and places it serves.’

David Hutchinson, the Rees Jeffreys Road Fund’s chair of trustees, said: ‘We hope that this report will help to inspire a new generation of highway engineers to think beyond the engineering basics and through high quality design make our main roads better for all.’

The picture below, from the report, includes suggested improvements on a section of the A27 at Stanmer Park.

 

1. Enhance bridges with planting or camouflaging paint

2. Enhance verge with wildflower planting

3. Locally native planting closer to road side to cut noise and warm against icing

4. Paint crash barrier to blend with foliage

5. Resurface road with noise absorbent material.

The report says that current interventions such as designated funds are beginning to bear fruit and have been invaluable in stimulating cultural change but that ‘much more can and should be done to streamline the bureaucracy and build greater awareness within and beyond Highways England’.

It suggest that funds that are currently operated vertically (from strategy to frontline via regions) could also work horizontally (strategic projects, regional projects, community fund level).

The report argues that Highways England's Design Panel is at a critical moment where it can move from developing principles to driving their application on the ground, ‘but this needs proper resourcing, including better join up with the HE environment fund, particularly the landscape and legacy strands’.

It adds that the forthcoming review of the DMRB and the development of the expressway model are opportunities to embed green infrastructure and good design.

At an area level the report says there are excellent examples of good practice, particularly around biodiversity, that could be shared in scalable ways for both new schemes, third party schemes and retrofit. It argues that to deliver new ideas in practice, Highways England ‘needs to show leadership, review contracts and specifications to embed these approaches in business as usual: contractors and supply chain will then respond to the specification’.

Examples of good practice from around the world include:

  • Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust’s sustainable motorway verge management, supporting biodiversity and producing feedstock for biomass
  • Los Angeles’ use of bioswales as an alternative to concrete drains
  • New South Wales’ design guidance for noise barriers
  • Green roof and low impact design of Gloucester M5 services.

Highways has approached Highways England for comment.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Mobile Street Scene Operative

£24,796 - £25,989 per annum
We are currently looking for a Mobile Cleansing Operative to join our Northallerton team. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recruiter: Bolton Council

Asset Senior Maintenance Engineer (CDC)

Grade 10, £47,154 – £51,235
Do you have a positive approach to work and enjoy the challenge of a busy role? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Structures Engineer

£40,777-£45,091
We are seeking to recruit a Highway Structures Engineer - Asset Management Graded 11. The post holder will be responsible for undertaking the workloa Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Arboricultural Consultant

£36168.0000 - £42551.0000 per annum
Arboricultural ConsultantPermanentFull Time, 37 hours per week£36,168 to £42,551 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Flood Risk Engineer - Epping Forest District Council

£40.0000 - £45.0000 per hour
Flood Risk Engineer Epping, EssexFull-Time, Temporary 37 Hours per Week 3 Months Contract* £40-£45 per hour, Umbrella Closing Date
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Senior Engineer

Starting Salary from £43,545 based on skills and
Job TitleSenior Engineer (x2 v... Frogmore Complex, Wandsworth, London,
Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Electrical Design Engineer

Grade 9 £35,412 to £39,152 - Grade 10 £38,220 to £41,771 - Grade 11 £40,777 to £45,091 - Grade 12 £44,075 to £48,226 p.a.
The Construction Consultancy Services (CCS) team provide client-side construction consultancy services across a range of professional disciplines to d Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Street Lighting Electrician CDC

Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2311e

£26,403 - £26,824
This is a predominantly office-based role with some site visits required. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Lawyer Planning and Highways - WMF2312e

£56,883 - £59,198
To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience as a Planning and Highways Lawyer Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Street Cleansing Operative

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council's Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Civil Engineering Technician (HDM)

Grade 4 - Grade 6
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through Highways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management operative course Staffordshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729 (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Rothersthorpe, Northampton
Recruiter: Amey

Head of Design Services

£77,536 - £83,366
You will lead the delivery of a high-performing Technical Services Partnership (TSP). Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Ecclesfield, Sheffield
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship. Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Knottingley, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey
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