Responsible and sustainable highways
Along with the assets on the motorway itself, our teams also conduct landscaping and ecology management around the network. This work ranges from trimming grass and trees to ensure sign visibility, to fostering biodiversity and protecting wildlife and endangered species inhabiting the network. The M40 is home to a surprising array of flora and fauna, including wildflower plots, kestrels, red kites, deer, bats and rare or protected species such as badgers, the great crested newt, and the black hairstreak butterfly.
Our teams on the ground work in close collaboration with ecologists and wildlife protection groups to safeguard the species, helping to protect, maintain and enhance their habitats. An example of this was the replacement of the footbridge at the Shabbington Bend Woods, an area recognised as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). Led by Egis’ apprentices, this collaborative project involved the joint efforts of our clients, National Highways and UK Highways M40. The result was improved access for ecologists and the creation of enhanced wildlife habitats, benefiting a wide range of species, including bats, birds and various plants and wildflowers that support pollinator populations in the surrounding area.
In 2019, we began experimenting with an alternative road marking system for maintaining the motorway. By conducting a survey using Lifeline™ to test the retro-reflectivity of our line markings and road studs, we were able to use the findings to develop a maintenance program informed by intelligent asset management data.
Through the annual maintenance program's implementation using HyperLine™, we've succeeded in reducing our roads' CO₂ emissions by 500 tonnes. This achievement underscores the significant progress we can make towards improving our environmental impact and operational efficiency when traditional working methods are reimagined.
In the complex motorway environment of our M40 project, the safety of our workforce is paramount. We constantly enhance our health and safety practices, identifying improvement areas and mitigating risks proactively. Education and training play a crucial role. Starting from induction, our workforce receives targeted training via our internal academy and regular safety campaigns. These initiatives address everything from accident prevention to mental health.
We cultivate a proactive safety culture through our 'Don't Walk By' system, rewarding hazard identification and prompt intervention. The Safety Action Group, our dedicated safety forum, promotes open communication and collaboration, encouraging employees to actively improve health and safety in the workplace.
