Last summer, National Highways published its 2030 Water Quality Plan, setting out plans to address potential pollution to the water environment arising from the historic development of the Strategic Road network (SRN), from its highest risk outfalls and soakaways.
Most rainfall from the SRN flows into rivers, streams, or soakaways, with a network including approximately 18,000 outfalls and 8,000 soakaways. In the plan, the government owned company identified 1,236 outfalls & soakaways as having a potential high risk of pollution.
To encourage greater collaboration in the sector, Water Magazine has teamed up with Highways UK 2024, set to take place in October at the NEC, Birmingham, to explore why water industry personnel should think about attending this year’s event.
Highways UK 2024, set for 16-17 October at the NEC in Birmingham, is a crucial event for the UK’s road infrastructure sector. With over 10,000 attendees, 375 exhibitors, and 350 speakers, it serves as a key platform for collaboration, innovation, and industry progress.
The Urgent Need for Transformation
In a time of increased environmental awareness and technological progress, Highways UK 2024 aims to highlight the sector’s need to evolve. With ambitious net-zero targets, transforming the highways sector into a greener, smarter and more efficient entity is not just about compliance, but future-proofing the UK’s road infrastructure.
The event will bring together key players, including National Highways and the Department for Transport, to tackle challenges like soakaways, decarbonisation, road safety, digitalisation, and talent acquisition—issues crucial for meeting both current demands and future goals.
A Comprehensive Programme for Industry Advancement
This year, Highways UK 2024 will have a multi-faceted approach, featuring ten distinct theatres addressing topics like digital construction, sustainable materials, and data management. The keynote stage will include senior leaders and ministers from the devolved administrations and major contractors, ensuring a robust discussion on the future of road investment.
The Start-up Zone is a cornerstone of the event, and will showcase innovative companies and their technologies. From carbon monitoring software to smart wearables, this zone will foster networking and partnerships between start-ups and established industry players.
Tackling the Talent Challenge
The Recruitment Zone at Highways UK 2024 will focus on talent acquisition and skills development, to address the infrastructure sector’s growing skills gap. This area will connect top employers with skilled professionals through on-the-spot interviews, networking, and career development sessions, crucial for overcoming workforce challenges.
Professional Development Hub
New this year, the Professional Development Hub, led by industry associations and consultancies, will offer training in civil engineering, transport planning, leadership, data analysis, safety, and operational qualifications. It will provide professionals, whether new or experienced, opportunities to enhance their expertise and keep pace with industry changes.
Celebrating Excellence: Highways UK Excellence Awards 2024
The Highways UK Excellence Awards return on 16 October at The Vox Conference Centre, to celebrate achievements in the highways industry. Categories include Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, Net-Zero, Social Value, Innovation, Collaborative Partnership, Network Enhancement, and Start-up of the Year.
Addressing Key Sector Challenges
The road infrastructure sector faces challenges, like mitigating pollution, achieving net-zero targets and managing public investment pressures. Highways UK 2024 will provide a platform to address these comprehensively, focusing on sustainability, digitalisation, and innovation. With public spending under scrutiny, the event will highlight the need for efficiency and resilience in the road network, prioritising rigorous standards and innovative solutions.
Water Magazine readers can register for a free visitor pass, subject to availability, by visiting: Packages | Highways UK 2024 (terrapinn.com)
