WSP has been appointed as a technical lead to support the delivery of National Highways' water quality plan.

The plan runs up until 2030 and sets out how the organisation intends to remediate some 250 priority soakaways and outfalls that risk leaking toxic chemicals into our water system by the end of the decade, following an inspection of over 1,200 potentially high-risk sites. Rain flowing from roads contains pollution from oils, suspended solids from tyres, and metals from brakes.

Under the new £5.5m one-year contract, WSP will lead as technical partner, supported by Mott MacDonald, Ramboll, Arup and AECOM, providing programme leadership, technical assurance and delivery support. The contract runs until March 2027.

The project will identify and deliver designs to treat water running from the highest risk outfalls on the strategic road network. Treatment will include either nature-based solutions or mechanical approaches delivered within the existing road boundary.

The key objectives of this project are:

  • Task 1: provision of a programme management function that supports the effective delivery of the plan's commitments in Road Period 3 (RP3).
  • Task 2: accelerated preliminary design and development of a delivery programme with Operations Directorate by the end of RP3 for a programme of up to 250 mitigations.
  • Task 3: development of a long-term strategy and implementation plan for managing the risk of pollution from the SRN by 2050, including the provision of a funding bid for RP4 (2031-2036).

WSP has been a technical partner on the programme since 2024, helping develop a 'long-term, evidence led approach to water quality, ensuring interventions are targeted, proportionate and aligned with wider environmental goals'.

David Symons, technical partner programme director and future ready leader at WSP, said: 'We are very pleased to be continuing our role as technical partner on the Water Quality Plan, supporting National Highways as the programme moves into its next phase. This is an important programme and we look forward to delivering this work at pace to help improve England's water quality.'

Stephen Elderkin, director of environmental sustainability at National Highways, said: 'We are committed to addressing the risk of pollution from road run-off. Alongside publishing a list of areas which require mitigation, a new national programme for improving water quality on our roads has now been established to tackle this important issue. Our continued relationship with WSP stands us in good stead as we continue making significant progress towards meeting the aims of our Water Quality Plan 2030. We look forward to working with them again to support positive environmental outcomes.'

The Water Quality Plan forms a key part of National Highways' commitment to reducing pollution from road run-off and improving the condition of rivers, streams and groundwater in the vicinity of the strategic road network.