SIB 2016: HMEP future confirmed

The future of the Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme (HMEP) has been outlined by programme manager Haydn Davies at this year’s Highways SIB (Seeing is Believing) event.

Speaking earlier today (9 November), Davies confirmed that from next year the programme will be sector led and that the Department for Transport (DfT) will continue to play a patronage role. The programme will be taken forward by four sector delivery partners, under the guidance of an advisory group that will still include DfT.

The HMEP Board will work with Local Partnerships, the Local Government Association (LGA), the National Highways and Transportation Network (NHT) and the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT).

Davies (pictured) confirmed that different parties would take turns chairing the Board and added: “For the sector to take this forward it can’t always be the DfT chairing it as it doesn’t encourage the sector to take ownership.”

Duncan Powell, programme director from Local Partnerships, told attendees: “We’re delighted to be involved with this work. We’ll be finding out about ways to do things and will look to add some value. We have done this across various other programmes in government before.”

HMEP is a £6 million, Department for Transport (DfT) funded and sector led transformation programme. It connects networks from across the highways sector and provides the tools and resources to ignite ideas and help leaders and managers to transform delivery of roads and services through greater efficiencies.

Highways SIB (Seeing is Believing) is taking place at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire from 9-10 November. It is Europe’s only event for indoor showcasing of highway products as well as outdoor demonstrations in all lighting conditions.