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Highways England boss Jim O’Sullivan talks ‘the end of conventional motorways’

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Highways England boss talks end of conventional motorways at Traffex Highways England boss talks end of conventional motorways at Traffex

IOC fellows were all about the NEC this week for a two-day diary slot of four-way trade show availability.

IRX, eDX retail internet and delivery in one set of halls stuffed to busting with seminars, and Traffex, Parkex in the next halls; beware of the parking charge, it's sixteen pounds!

Traffex was full-on clean air in seminars by TfL, TfGM and Bristol as keynote delivery was given by the Highways England Chief Exec, Jim O’Sullivan.

Jim O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of Highways England,

I don’t think you will ever see a conventional motorway with a hard shoulder ever built again.

 

The days of a conventional motorway networks are over. The textbook is set for its last edition.

 

Periodic emergency refuges will replace the hard shoulder and more smart features will arrive.

 

For lower volumes and speeds it will be dual carriageways and then it will be expressway standards including emergency refuge areas.

 

End of the textbook.

This is probably the last time we will revise the DMRB (Design manual for roads and bridges) because in the future it's going to be about as much about rules.

 

There was a strong national feel of solutions to the NEC Traffex trade show at the NEC, but beware on the theme of parking charges, the NEC bill for the car park was sixteen pounds!

Carl Eddleston, head of asset operations for TfL, was on the big stage, Setting out the London Mayor's strategy, encouraging modal shift and showcasing specific examples of walking, cycling and public transport solutions.

Jonathan Marsh for TfGM delivered the Manchester Transport strategy, designing and planning with the public in mind, managing congestion and limiting vehicles in the City of Manchester. Set your diary for the TfGM freight event April 25th.

Jackie Davies, Bristol City Council, principal engineer,

What Bristol has done to encourage modal shift. Encouraging active travel, reducing delay at pedestrian crossings, bus lane enforcement and future projects outlined.

IoC