UK development fund announced to help reduce road work-related disruption

Date: 11/5/2011

The Department for Transport has announced a £1 million development fund that will be used to research and advance new technology with the aim of reducing the disruption caused by road works in London.

TRL (the Transport Research Laboratory) will be heading up the 18-month project by examining pioneering engineering techniques.

These include the possibility of enabling utility providers to use fast-setting road replacement surfaces, or temporary coverings.

Such techniques could potentially allow these companies to carry out more maintenance work during times when traffic levels are low and re-open roads at peak hours in order to avoid delays.

Philip Hammond, the Secretary of State for Transport - who announced the fund this week alongside Mayor of London Boris Johnson - said he hoped the project would lead to "fewer needless jams" in the future.

Meanwhile, Bob Collis, Director of Infrastructure at TRL, noted: "We are delighted to have been awarded this important project that will not only help to reduce congestion and bring economic benefits to London, but also has the potential to bring similar benefits to other major cities."

Posted by Mary Treen