TRL to seek ways to reduce delays caused by roadworks

A joint £1m fund to research and develop new technology to reduce the disruption caused by roadworks was announced today by UK transport secretary Philip Hammond and mayor of London Boris Johnson.

The money will fund an 18-month project by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) to examine engineering techniques that could see utilities use temporary road-surfacing methods and fast-setting replacement road surfaces.

This would allow utility companies to carry out more work at quieter times and to re-open roads during peak traffic periods to reduce delays and disruption.

Funding will be provided equally by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL).