10 September 2019

Costain, the smart infrastructure solutions company, has today announced that it is joining the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) as part of its drive to make the UK’s road network the safest in the world.

PACTS is a registered charity that supports the all-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport Safety. Its objective is to protect human life through the promotion of transport safety for the public benefit. Its aim is to advise and inform members of the House of Commons and of the House of Lords on air, rail and road safety issues.

The council brings together safety professionals and legislators to identify research-based solutions to transport safety problems having regard to cost, effectiveness, achievability and acceptability.

Richard Stuart, highways sector director, Costain, said: “By bringing leading-edge data-driven technology solutions to the UK’s road network, we are supporting PACTS in helping to shape the safest possible future infrastructure and making our roads even safer for all those who use and work on them. Costain is an industry leader in road technology and we are proud to be part of the efforts to achieve zero deaths and serious injuries on the network.”

Commenting on Costain’s membership, David Davies executive director, PACTS said: “PACTS knows that expertise and innovation in road safety often lies in the private sector and we are delighted that Costain has joined PACTS. Costain has a close knowledge of the operation of the highway network and we have been impressed with their use of technology and innovative thinking to improve safety.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

About David Davies
David Davies has a background in sustainable transport, road safety, public sector scrutiny, planning and research. He has worked in local government and transport consultancies, including five years at the Transport Research Lab. In 2003 he moved to the Audit Commission, and subsequently to the UK Parliament House of Commons Transport Select Committee.

He led inquiries into road safety, aviation strategy, HS2, national policy for ports and bus competition. He has been the executive director of PACTS since January 2013 and has emphasised its thought-leadership role. He is a member of various Department for Transport advisory committees including the Motorists Form and Road Safety Delivery Group.

He manages the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Transport Safety and advises MPs and Peers of all parties. He plays the role of critical friend to civil servants and ministers.

About Richard Stuart
Richard Stuart is Costain’s highways sector director, overseeing the delivery of an extensive portfolio spanning technology integration, consultancy, complex project delivery and maintenance for local and strategic road network clients.

Richard has a track record of leading teams in both client and supplier organisations often working in complex multi-stakeholder environments to successfully deliver infrastructure that improves people’s lives. He is passionate about creating an environment where teams can thrive and deliver exceptional performance and has used this approach to successfully deliver programmes and projects for Highways England, Network Rail and TfL.