CECA’s Highway Maintenance Group was formed at member request for an industry representative body, operating specifically in highways maintenance.

VolkerHighways has been a proud member of the group, since its launch in December 2020. Alistair Thompson, managing director, sits on the group’s steering committee and Bob Pizzey, business development director, recently participated in the ‘Improving Workload Visibility’ working group. 

The working group has been engaging with clients across the UK, and a wide range of external speakers, to inform members of upcoming opportunities and issues to address.

The Highway Maintenance Group aims to represent all CECA members working in the sector, no matter the business’ size, providing a single voice, driving change and engaging with public sector clients, to deliver improved outcomes for clients and contractors, and ultimately for road users and communities.

 The Highway Maintenance Group has five priorities:

• Health, safety, wellbeing and training
• Achieving carbon net zero
• Improving workload visibility
• Enhancing productivity across the sector
• Procuring and delivering collaboratively

In its first year, the group quickly established its terms of reference, its steering group and held 19 meetings for its members. It has also hosted eight public sector clients, from National Highways to local authorities, understanding their priorities, challenges and procurement timelines.

Other meetings have focused on engaging with industry bodies such as ADEPT and LCRIG, as well as addressing key issues, such as carbon reduction, research and development tax credits and measuring social value.

In 2022, the group hopes to become an active leader of industry change. It is establishing five focus teams aligned to the group’s key priorities, and is seeking member representation in each team, alongside an additional member to join the steering group.

Simon White, chair for CECA Highways Maintenance Group, said: “We are really pleased with the solid foundation created in this first year, in particular the engagement with procuring local authorities, to inform our membership and in many cases helping the client enhance their contracts by engaging with the private sector.

“In 2022 our energies will expand, through the new focus teams, to lead positive industry change. The focus teams are a chance to get involved in helping shape the UK’s highway maintenance sector.”

 To learn more about CECA and the Highways Maintenance steering group, please contact Marie-Claude Hemming.