New research has warned that the UK is set to face a gridlock crisis caused by rapidly increasing traffic and road upgrades, as well as a lack of cross-industry collaboration regarding roadworks.
Causeway Technologies, a digital construction and maintenance technology provider, said its road management data showed an increase of 42% in roadworks across the UK between 2019 and 2023. Over 203,000 miles of roadworks took place in 2023 alone.
Traffic levels are also experiencing a general increase, with the Department of Transport predicting a further 54% increase in road usage by 2060.
A lack of communication, planning, and management are contributing to the issue. Causeway has stated that 72% of utility and 62% of local highway authority (LHA) leaders believe the nation is headed for a road and street work crisis by 2030 due to the lack of greater industry collaboration.
Nick Smee, director for infrastructure at Causeway, said: “It’s clear that if the industry continues to work in the same ways the wheels are going to come off. Closer collaboration between everyone involved is vital to rolling out critical new services, whilst mitigating disruption to road users.
“Ensuring widespread access to clear and up-to-date data on planned works is a critical piece of the puzzle that the Causeway one.network platform is dedicated to solving.”
Causeway also said Project Gigabit, a £5bn government programme to enable remote communities to access gigabit broadband, asset upgrades and water leaks, is a big driver behind the rise of utility works. It contributed to a 108% increase in telecoms-driven roadworks between 2019 and 2023.
Mark Corbin, chair of the ADEPT National Traffic Managers Forum, said: “We need a new era of collaboration where utility companies, contractors, local highway authorities and community stakeholders form strong alliances to plan, deliver and reduce impacts of roadworks.
“Improving communications and transforming behaviours is not just a necessity, but must be seen as a strategic national imperative.”
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