CHC Highways, Costain’s joint venture with Jacobs, is working with National Highways to carry out a programme of regular maintenance and severe weather response activity, alongside a range of initiatives to boost community engagement and skills in Area 14, which covers Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Durham and North Yorkshire.
The contract began in 2017 and will run for 15 years. It is worth a total of £180m.
The project
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CHC Highways’ contract with National Highways covers cyclical activities, such as inspection/cleaning/ maintenance of road restraint systems, drainage, traffic signs and road markings, electrical work for road lighting, landscaping and ecology and sweeping/cleaning; and non-cyclical activities, including repairs to fencing, drainage and responses to severe weather.
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The project supports the delivery of 6 National Highways Desired Outcomes which it sets to achieve across its network, relating to driving efficiencies, improving road safety and maintaining customer satisfaction.
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We are also engaged in the wider Yorkshire and North-East (YNE) Community served by Area 14, and we have undertaken a range of initiatives to improve understanding and management of the network assets, plus work to reduce resource gaps and skills shortages.
The work
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We have enabled an approach that allows National Highways to routinely assess the quality of the work delivered and whether the service being provided remains appropriate, with CHC regularly advising the Service Manager of any potential improvements that can be made to the service. We also provide a granular breakdown of how CHC proposes to deliver each individual activity, including a monthly forecast of expenditure that aligns with how National Highways collects data on all of its projects.
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Our approach to staffing the project has focused on ensuring we are embedded within the YNE community as a means to improve skillsets and plug resource gaps on projects.
The benefits
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Our cyclical and non-cyclical maintenance work is routinely carried out to a high standard and meets the requirements of National Highways. Across both streams of work, over 90% of works are completed to the required standards, well above industry averages, and during January-August 2024, this rose to 98% for non-cyclical activities.
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Managing the impacts of severe weather has taken on increased importance since the contract began. In October 2023-January 2024, the onsite team had to react and manage high winds and heavy rain as several storms impacted the network, with operatives working around the clock to carry out reactive maintenance to network hotspots and potential areas that had flooded.
Recruitment
We have worked closely with NH to develop a training plan that delivers relevant skills for the contract and provided economic opportunities for local people.
One example is our HGV Apprenticeship, a major upskilling programme designed to meet a project need to increase the volume of HGV qualified staff for continued effective service delivery, specifically for the winter service.
Through collaborating with our integrated community liaison team, we have been able to identify hard to reach groups for the scheme, such as people from areas of social deprivation and those not in education, employment or training. It is also open to existing Costain staff to support in-work progression.
The scheme began in 2020, and after being adapted to account for Covid-19 restrictions, it has been a demonstrable success. By the end of 2023, 16 candidates have successfully undertaken the programme, with 10 progressing to become winter maintenance operatives.
The success of the scheme is indicative of our inclusive and progressive approach to resource projects with the right people.
Our recruitment strategy as a whole attracts diverse candidates into Area 14 and implements key retention measures such as an inclusive working environment and structured development plan. We also encourage our staff members to enrol in continual professional development. For instance, our Front Line Supervisors at Area 14 generally work towards NVQ Level 3 in Highway Maintenance & Repair and Site Supervision, and our Works Managers to Level 5 (Black Card).
The HGV Apprenticeship scheme has shown that upskilling staff via an apprenticeship programme can lead directly to significant, tangible and measurable social value by delivering promotion and improved long term benefits for both individuals and company.
Our strategy is providing Area 14 with a skilled, committed workforce who are well equipped to be deployed across the programme for maximum benefit to both the project and individuals.
The numbers
- 16 candidates have successfully undertaken the HGV Apprenticeship.
- 10 apprentices have progressed to become winter maintenance operatives.
- Project-wide support for the delivery of 6 National Highways Desired Outcomes.
Contact
Ann-marie Morrison
Sector director