Safer roads, delivered in live traffic

A Section 278 agreement under the Highways Act 1980 enables a developer to fund improvements to an existing public highway. Typically required as a planning condition, S278 works include junction improvements, new access points, pedestrian crossings, and carriageway widening. The works must be designed to adoptable standards, technically approved by the highway authority, and constructed under their supervision. A bond or surety is required before works commence, and commuted sums for future maintenance are payable.

Highway construction carries specific CDM risks including working in live high-speed traffic, complex temporary traffic management, night working with reduced visibility, deep excavations near live services, and public pedestrian and cyclist interfaces. Our Principal Designers address these sector-specific hazards in pre-construction information and ensure risks are managed through robust traffic management design, safe systems of work, and appropriate sequencing.

Section 38 applies to the construction of new roads that will be adopted as public highway — typically estate roads within development sites. Section 278 applies to works on existing public highways — typically junction improvements and access works required as planning conditions. Both require technical approval and bonding, but S38 also includes a formal adoption process with a 12-month maintenance period and testing regime before the road becomes publicly maintainable.

We coordinate the traffic management process including TM design brief, Chapter 8 compliance review, highway authority approval, and implementation coordination. For National Highways works, this includes the formal TM approval process through the Managing Agent. We also manage TTRO applications for road closures and coordinate through permit schemes under TMA 2004.

Yes. Utility diversions are frequently on the critical path for highway schemes. We manage the process from C3/C4 budget estimates through detailed design coordination, programme integration, and construction supervision. We coordinate between multiple utility companies and ensure diversionary works are completed before main highway construction begins.

We coordinate all four stages of road safety audit: Stage 1 (preliminary design), Stage 2 (detailed design), Stage 3 (post-construction), and Stage 4 (post-opening monitoring). We procure independent audit teams, manage the interface between auditor and designer, coordinate designer responses, and ensure the highway authority approves any departures or exceptions.

Yes. We provide project management and CDM advisory for schemes on or adjacent to the Strategic Road Network. Our team understands the PCF stage gate process, DMRB design standards, National Highways safety requirements, and the Managing Agent coordination process. We also manage Section 278 works on trunk roads which require National Highways approval.

Highway construction involves specialist temporary works including excavation support near live carriageways, temporary bridges and traffic decks, crane operations adjacent to live roads, temporary retaining structures, and drainage attenuation during construction. We provide temporary works coordination ensuring BS 5975 compliance within the highway environment and compliance with SHEW (Safety at Street Works) requirements.

Night working is standard practice on busy roads where daytime lane closures would cause unacceptable congestion. We manage night working programmes including fatigue management, lighting requirements, noise mitigation for nearby residents, TM installation and removal sequencing, and productivity planning to maximise output during restricted working windows.

Commuted sums are upfront payments made by developers to the highway authority to cover the future maintenance costs of non-standard highway features — enhanced paving, decorative lighting, landscaping, SUDS features, or structures. The sums are calculated based on the anticipated maintenance liability over a defined period (typically 20-60 years) and must be paid before the highway authority will adopt the works.