World-leading research programme delivers breakthrough results in non-destructive testing, promising fewer road closures and enhanced safety A world-leading research programme that could transform traditional approaches to the maintenance of England’s motorways and major A-roads has announced significant technological advances today. The results demonstrate how state-of-the-art technologies could now be deployed on the network’s ageing infrastructure to reveal a more accurate analysis of asset condition – reducing unplanned road closures and enhancing safety. The Structures’ Moonshot Project, initiated by National Highways and led by AtkinsRéalis and Jacobs, has concluded the initial phases of its investigation into non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies and revealed its findings to more than 200 international industry delegates. The project focused on analysing England’s highway structures with hidden critical components which are difficult and expensive to inspect, such as post-tensioned bridges. NDT technologies use a range of techniques to build a picture of the condition of a structure, highlighting any defects hidden beneath concrete surfaces. They aim to complement and improve on traditional inspections and help to mitigate the need to undertake physical investigations, which can require road or lane closures. The project’s innovative approach has led to key industry breakthroughs, including the development of digital twins which integrate various NDT technologies to provide a more holistic and accurate assessment of structural conditions. Additionally, this programme is addressing a fundamental industry problem: whilst awareness of NDT technologies is high, there is a lack of awareness of the wide spectrum of technologies available and understanding in terms how of how they could be deployed to optimise inspection results. The research team has produced practical summaries and guidance on NDT methods, recognising that tailored solutions are required. The Structures’ Moonshot research team has conducted more than 60 in-depth tests since August 2023, covering both established and experimental technologies. This  included testing 20 types of advanced NDT technologies and gathering input from more than  20 specialist companies, globally. Trials were conducted on purpose-built, full-scale mock-ups of bridge sections as well as parts of decommissioned bridges such as the A14 Huntingdon Viaduct. One of the largest NDT technology effectiveness studies globally, details will be revealed at a conference in Birmingham today, with findings shared among the wider structural engineering community. Colin George, deputy head of structures at National Highways said: “The Structures’ Moonshot is about driving innovation through investment in new technologies. These technologies are set to provide us with game-changing solutions in terms of how we maintain the structures on our road network. “The challenges of maintaining an ageing bridge stock are very real. It is vital that we ensure that first and foremost our structures are safe to use. The technologies we’re looking at have the potential to achieve that goal, but also to ensure we’re spending our funding effectively. As a result, we would expect to see a reduction in planned and unplanned closures on our very busy network. “Technology is rapidly influencing the transport sector and it’s crucial we continue to invest in finding new ways of maintain the network. National Highways needs to keep innovating to improve experiences on the road, while getting people where they need to be, safely and reliably.” One of the advanced technologies tested was muon tomography by Estonian company GScan. This creates a detailed 3D model of the internal fabric of a structure, enabling expert evaluation of the condition of the buried steel components and concrete substrate without the need for costly and disruptive investigations. Chis Mundell, technical director at AtkinsRéalis said: “With more than half of England’s bridges set to exceed 50 years of age by 2030, we urgently need accurate and efficient methods to assess their condition. Structures’ Moonshot has been a unique opportunity to comprehensively test and validate the performance of various technologies – some will revolutionise bridge assessments equivalent to x-rays for doctors and patient diagnosis. “The testing has reinforced the view that there is no ‘silver bullet’ for structural investigations, but NDT technology integration is transforming how we maintain these complex structures. Having completed the first phases largely in controlled environments, we’re now looking forward to deploying these technologies on operational structures.” There are more than 20,000 structures on roads managed by National Highways, ranging from small culverts and gantries to large bridges. Many of those structures need repairs costing millions of pounds each time an intervention is required. Richard Sanderson, senior vice president Transportation at Jacobs said: “Maintaining high standards and public safety across our road network requires continuous innovation. “The ability to assess the condition of structures remotely, or with less physical intrusion, is a significant step forward and is a natural evolution to existing methods of investigation, which typically involve in-situ inspection and testing with temporary road closures. These emerging technologies offer the potential to support more efficient, targeted interventions, contributing to a more sustainable, safe and responsive road network. Jacobs is excited to be involved with these groundbreaking trials, which we anticipate will ultimately equip bridge engineers with an ever-wider toolkit for management of bridge assets.” The project now enters phase three, which will see wider use of the new technologies and approaches on operational National Highways assets and is expected to complete in mid-2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Yesterday, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, delivered the outcome of Phase 2 of the government’s Spending Review.  The government announced in Autumn 2024, that the forthcoming Spending Review in 2025 will set government departmental resource budgets for three years and capital budgets for five years, with reviews every two years. CIHT will be providing a more detailed analysis in the coming days.  Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT said: “CIHT welcomes the commitment to transport spend outlined today by the Chancellor. The Spending Review, shows that the government understands the vital role that highways, transport and infrastructure plays in the UK economy.” “The announcement of funding to support the key areas of transport decarbonisation, public transport, climate resilience and highway maintenance echo many of CIHT’s recent submissions to government. The reference to an increase in funding for apprenticeships and training to reach an extra £1.2 billion per annum by 2029 is a welcome emphasis on the need to support the future skills of the sector.”  “CIHT will be working closely with the government to support these initiatives and more in the run-up to the forthcoming 10-year infrastructure strategy.” The following includes some of the highlights CIHT welcomes from the Spending Review that CIHT called for, including: – £750 million per year to maintain and improve bus services, including introducing franchising pilots in areas including York and North Yorkshire and Cheshire West and Cheshire West and Chester Read CIHT on improving buses  – £2.6 billion capital investment to decarbonise transport from 2026-27 to 2029-30. This includes: – Investing £616 million to build and maintain walking and cycling infrastructure. (1) Read CIHT on making the case for active travel – £1.4 billion for the continued uptake of electric vehicles Read CIHT on electric vehicles – £400 million to support the rollout of charging infrastructure, building on the almost 80,000 public charging devices already available;  – Extending the £3 bus fare cap – due to end this year – by over a year until March 2027 Read CIHT Spending Review submission  – £4.2 billion over three years, from 2026-27 to 2028- 29 for climate resilience  – Providing £24 billion of capital funding between 2026‑27 and 2029‑30 to maintain and improve motorways and local roads across the country.  Read CIHT Unlocking the Benefits of Long-Term Funding for Local Roads – The impending publication of the government’s ‘10-Year Infrastructure Strategy’ later in June.  Further announcements that CIHT welcome include:   – Investing £2.3 billion in the Local Transport Grant over Phase 2 for local transport improvements including bus lanes, cycleways and congestion improvement measures in places outside of those areas receiving TCR settlements.    – £15.6 billion investment in total by 2031‑32 through the new Transport for City Regions (TCR) settlements to give metro mayors of some of England’s largest city regions long‑term transport settlements.  – Up to £27.8 billion capital to be invested through the National Wealth Fund (NWF), which will drive growth and create jobs across the UK in areas, including transport sectors.   – A multi-year settlement for London (TfL) of £2.2 billion of funding between 2026-27 and 2029-30 for Transport for London’s capital renewals programme.  – £1.2bn a year for training and upskilling, with a focus on creating more apprenticeship opportunities.   – Devolved governments will receive an additional £5.7 billion per year on average through the operation of the Barnett formula. This translates as £52bn for Scotland, £23bn for Wales, and £21bn for Northern Ireland.  The full government Spending Review Document is available to read here.  CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with HM Treasury, the Department for Transport, and other government departments to ensure that the UK’s transport network is fit for all our futures.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

One of the UK’s largest and most technically challenging road projects has officially opened, completing the £2bn Heads of the Valleys Road upgrade programme helping to deliver better transport and fix our roads. The final phase of the Welsh Government funded upgrade programme , which was designed to deliver prosperity to some of the most deprived areas in Wales, has already created 2,200 new jobs across the country with almost a half of those employed living in the local area and coming from a disadvantaged or long-term unemployed background. The £1.4bn Section 5&6 – Dowlais to Hirwaun final phase is helping to connect communities by linking the Valleys, South and West Wales to the English Midlands and beyond together with ports serving Irish and other European destinations. As well as improving the resilience of the South Wales trunk road network, the road provides a vital link across the top of the South Wales valleys for the Metro project improving links to the Cardiff and Swansea Bay City Regions. This has been achieved by delivering:  As well as boosting the region’s economy with approximately £400m being invested in the local supply chain, the project has helped to inspire the next generation through educational engagement sessions, and delivered a series of environmental benefits. These include: Speaking at the official opening, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said: “Delivering better transport and fixing our roads is a priority for this government, which is why I am delighted to be marking the completion of what has been a hugely ambitious road upgrade programme. “It’s been a complex project, which has not been without its challenges, but is a fantastic example of how targeted investment in road infrastructure can deliver benefits on so many levels, from providing local jobs to improving accessibility, supporting education and skills, as well as delivering environmental benefits. “Of course, a project of this magnitude is inevitably going to have an impact on local residents, and I would like to thank those that were affected for their patience. I am confident that once people realise the benefits of this investment, memories of any disruption they have experienced will start to fade.” Finance Secretary, Mark Drakeford added: “Investing in this major capital project has created real benefits for local people. It has resulted in £400m for the local supply chain and has created 2,200 new jobs.“Beyond improving transport, this project has built a legacy in the area, by training over 200 apprentices and providing STEM activities for local schools. This shows how our investments are improving more than just infrastructure; they are supporting our communities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major £140 million transformation of Darlington Station has marked a significant milestone with the completion of a bridge concourse linking the historic Bank Top station to its new eastern entrance off Neasham Road. The final section of the pedestrian bridge was installed late last week, forming a vital connection between the existing grade II-listed station and the newly developed eastern gateway. The 50-tonne enclosed, step-free bridge was previously lifted into place using a 750-tonne crane specially built for the task. Network Rail is now leading the next phase of the ambitious project, which includes two new platforms, platforms 5 and 6, to boost capacity on both the East Coast Main Line and the Tees Valley Line. These upgrades aim to ease freight movements and improve services across the region. The entire scheme remains on track for completion later this year. The eastern entrance hall structure was handed over to Network Rail last year. Once finished, it will house retail units and a 650-space car park, helping to create a modern gateway into the town. Public realm improvements are also underway, with hoardings erected around buildings on Victoria Road to allow for better pedestrian links to Darlington town centre. A new Neasham Road entrance and short-stay drop-off zone are also taking shape. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s great to see the final piece of the concourse fitting into place. We handed over the gateway building on time and on budget – and it’s pleasing to see Network Rail are making good progress to get this whole vital project over the line and ready for the people of Darlington this year. “It’s a huge year for our railway heritage – and this project will not only provide the modern station Darlington deserves, but it will also open up huge opportunities for connectivity, trade and freight to and from Teesside and Hartlepool further down the line.” Funded with £98 million from the Department for Transport, the project includes enhancements to track, points, and signalling, alongside the new footbridge, platforms, and concourse building. The station overhaul is part of a broader strategy to future-proof regional rail services and support growth across the North East. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Greater Manchester is set to deliver the UK’s first fully integrated, zero-emission public transport system by 2030 thanks to a £2.5 billion government funding boost. Government ministers are in Rochdale this morning [Wednesday 4 June]  to announce details of the Transport for the City Regions funding, with Greater Manchester awarded £2.5 billion. Mayor Andy Burnham said that further progress on the next phase of the Bee Network will now be delivered at an unrelenting pace. Greater Manchester will: Create an all-electric local public transport network: A thousand new EV buses will form a 100% electric fleet serving its communities. Alongside trams powered by renewable energy and e-bikes for hire, it will deliver an emission-free network. This will build on progress already made to cut CO2 emissions and improve air quality. Bring rail into the Bee Network: Local rail lines will be integrated with the Bee Network, with Greater Manchester communities the first outside London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram and train travel by the end of the decade. The move will see major improvements to stations, including making more fully accessible, as well as capped fares. Deliver major projects to drive green growth: A pipeline of transport projects – including a tram line to Stockport and tram-train services connecting Oldham, Rochdale, Heywood and Bury, new Metrolink stops and modern new interchanges – will support the delivery of thousands of new homes, skilled jobs and green growth. Transport investment will be fundamental to sustaining the city-region’s rate of economic growth, which has outstripped the UK’s average in the past decade. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This is a game-changing moment that will underpin Greater Manchester’s green growth for years to come. Building on our strong track record, we can now move at pace to deliver the next phase of the Bee Network – creating the UK’s first fully electric, zero emission integrated public transport system by 2030. “With a pipeline of major transport projects better connecting our towns and cities, and local rail lines brought into the Bee Network, our communities will be the first outside London to be served by fully joined-up bike, bus, tram and train travel.  “Greater Manchester has had a decade of growth faster than the UK average. This funding – together with our devolved decision-making powers – can be the key to unlocking even more growth in the decade to come. “It’s a major boost for our own plans to deliver £10bn of investment over the next 10 years, build thousands of new homes, create skilled jobs, and open up new opportunities right across our city-region.” The new funding will continue to deliver far-reaching benefits across all of Greater Manchester’s towns and cities, underpinning the city-region’s economic growth and delivering tangible benefits for its communities. Key projects will include: The £2.5 billion is part of a package of investment Greater Manchester is seeking to deliver its growth ambitions in full – with the city-region seeking to work collaboratively with Government on exploring new funding models for major transport and other infrastructure projects. As part of next week’s Spending Review, it is also hoped the Government will back transformational schemes that stretch beyond the city-region’s boundaries, including the new proposed Liverpool-Manchester Railway. Continued revenue funding from government will also be crucial to support essential bus routes that provide a lifeline to Greater Manchester’s communities and grow the Bee Network, connecting more places by bus and further boosting passenger numbers. Greater Manchester is already making significant progress in creating a cheaper, cleaner, greener and safer public transport network. Just this week Transport for Greater Manchester completed work on the city-region’s first all electric bus depot in Ashton. Now home to more than 80 zero-emission buses, it means 14 more bus routes across the city region are now serviced by cleaner electric vehicles. It’s just one of the ways the Bee Network is transforming how people get around, with lower, capped fares across bus and tram and improvements made to more than 75 services helping to reverse decades-long decline in buses with rapidly growing numbers of passengers served by a more reliable, affordable and integrated public transport network. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

HS2 yesterday revealed the first section of platform to be installed for Britain’s new high-speed railway. In the underground box at HS2’s Old Oak Common station, engineers have begun installing the platform slabs which passengers will use when boarding or alighting high-speed trains in the future. Six platforms are being built at the super-hub station in West London for high-speed services. Each will be served by HS2’s fleet of 400-metre trains. These are being built in advance of a further eight surface-level platforms for Great Western Mainline, Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express services. All six high-speed platforms are being installed at the same time, with construction taking place from either end of the station box. They are laid out as three ‘island’ style blocks. The platforms are the first to be unveiled anywhere on Britain’s new high-speed railway and give a glimpse of what future passengers can expect when services begin running. To construct the platforms, 1.59m high walls, known as invert walls, have been poured. 1,960 pre-cast concrete slabs, measuring up to 4m by 2m, are then lifted into place on top. The platforms have a void below, allowing for services, such as electricity, to be installed within. The pre-cast concrete slabs are being made offsite by Explore Manufacturing in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, an example of how Britain’s manufacturing industry is building for the nation’s future. The station is being constructed by HS2’s station construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYTRA (BBVS JV), which began permanent work after the Transport Secretary gave the thumbs up to the station in June 2021. The structure of the huge 850m long underground station box at Old Oak Common was completed this year, including the 45,000 sq/m base slab. Despite recent progress, HS2 is currently undergoing a fundamental reset led by Mark Wild, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive, to make sure the railway can be delivered efficiently and for the lowest feasible cost. Huw Edwards, Delivery Director for stations and placemaking at HS2 Ltd, said: “The installation of the first passenger platforms represents a real step forward in taking HS2 from purely a construction project to the future of Britain’s railways. “Whilst there is still much more to work to do, standing where passengers will alight HS2 services is a reminder of what this railway will achieve – creating connections between people and places, that will benefit generations to come.” Steve O’Sullivan, Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA Project Director at HS2 Old Oak Common station, said:  “The installation of the first high-speed platforms at Old Oak Common marks a defining moment in the delivery of HS2. It’s a powerful symbol of progress, not just in terms of engineering, but also highlights the change in project focus from the current civil phase of the works to the building, fit-out and the Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health phase of the works. Our teams at BBVS are proud to be laying the foundations of what will become one of the UK’s most important interchange transport hubs.” Later this year, HS2 will begin installation of the eight platforms that will be used by conventional rail services – the Great Western, Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express. When complete, the station will be one of the best connected in the UK, with the potential to reach over 100 stations in the UK and being the 42nd stop on the Elizabeth Line. The BBVS JV team is also working a level above the base slab where the platform construction is taking place to construct the ground floor level of the station. From there  the superstructure of the station can be built, creating the vibrant station environment. Tunnelling work to connect the station to the HS2 network is being undertaken by HS2’s London tunnels contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG JV. In the eastern section of the underground box, the team are preparing to launch two giant tunnelling machines towards Euston. In the western side of the box, the team will excavate a short tunnel connecting the station to the Victoria Road Crossover Box nearby using the sprayed concrete lining method. From there the new high speed line will run through the Northolt Tunnel. Economic research, published by HS2 earlier this year, shows that HS2 is spearheading a £10bn boost in the areas surrounding its new station site in West London. Within 1.5 miles of Old Oak Common Station, HS2 will be responsible for generating over 22,00 homes, 693,000 square metres of commercial floorspace, and 18,782 jobs, the research, conducted by Arcadis, found. HS2’s new station sits within the economic development zone where the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) is delivering its masterplan for a new district in west London. Established by the Mayor in 2015, OPDC covers an area of 650 hectares and is working to maximise the regeneration opportunities, creating a positive legacy for communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A new strategic partnership has been formed between Network Rail Property, Places for London, and the London Borough of Lambeth to drive forward a major regeneration of London Waterloo Station and the surrounding South Bank neighbourhood. The collaboration follows the publication of the Waterloo Station Vision in 2023, which outlined long-term ambitions for one of Britain’s busiest transport hubs and its vibrant surrounding area. As the fourth busiest station in Great Britain, London Waterloo plays a crucial role in connecting commuters, tourists, and leisure travellers to the heart of the capital and its renowned cultural landmarks. The new partnership aims to transform the station into a modern destination that enhances the customer experience while delivering broader benefits to the South Bank area. The regeneration is expected to improve connectivity, open up new public spaces, and support diverse development and investment opportunities. Working with public and private sector partners, the programme will be rolled out in a series of phases. The initiative will also engage closely with local stakeholders and communities to ensure the regeneration meets the needs of both residents and visitors. The collaborative project seeks to unlock long-term economic growth for Lambeth by creating jobs, attracting businesses, and delivering new housing, while reinforcing the area’s role as a global cultural and economic hub. Robin Dobson, Group Property Director, Network Rail said: “This is a great step forward in combining both our resources and assets across Waterloo and South Bank. We will work with neighbouring partners to deliver a regeneration plan that unlocks huge growth and investment opportunities across the Borough, delivering the widest mix of uses and something very special for this important part of London for future generations to come.” Graeme Craig, Director and Chief Executive, Places for London added: “Millions of people pass through Waterloo every year to work and explore the South Bank and beyond. Through this new collaboration, we can ensure those customers are getting the very best London has to offer as they travel through this historic transport hub. This a great opportunity for Places for London to work with Network Rail and the London Borough of Lambeth to provide a new and improved vision for the community and all who come to Waterloo.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals