An expert panel brought together by Highways England to encourage excellence in road design, met for the first time and pledged to change thinking and place more emphasis on the importance of good design within the road environment.
Highways England is responsible for delivering £11 billion of Government investment in England’s major roads and motorways over the next five years, and says it is important to maximise opportunities to ensure the road network is in harmony with its surroundings.
The panel comprises experts from the fields of architecture, environment, heritage, design and engineering.
Mike Wilson, Highways England chief highways engineer, said: “We’re charged with delivering less congested roads to enable swift, safe and comfortable journeys and it is important to us that our road network fits within its environment.
“We’ve already got some great road design and this an opportunity for us to take it a step further – to get input from other experts, which can only be good for Highways England as we set off on the road to becoming an exemplar of good design.”
Highways England will seek advice from the panel on:
- Embedding a design led approach as an important part of the development of all road improvement schemes.
- Road schemes, network management and operations.
- The development of relevant design standards and advice.
- At any other time where required by the Secretary of State.
The Design Panel is built into the Highways England licence and is part of a broader vision for the future of the road network.
The intention is to harnesses the engineering and design talent this country has to further develop a network that, while durable and effective, is something people can enjoy and be proud of.
A key part of this is to consider and demand the highest design outcomes for all the elements of the network so that together they create the best user experience.
The full panel comprises members from the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, the National Trust, Campaign to Protect Rural England, Royal Institute of British Architects, Campaign for Better Transport, Landscape Institute, Prince’s Foundation, Institution of Civil Engineers, Natural England, Design Council, Institution of Structural Engineers and Historic England.
Spike - 16/06/2015 12:24
I hope they will be looking at developing an improved cycling infrastructure for the benefit of ALL road users similar to how they have on the continent. Seems like the panel comprises of members looking to improve the aesthetic appearance of roads or to protect rural Britain and has excluded membership from people who actually use the roads!!