Mott MacDonald secures crucial role on National Highways water quality plan

Supporting solutions to reduce pollution from road runoff

National Highways Environment Sustainability Strategy & Standards Group has awarded the Road Period 3 (RP3) Water Quality Plan Technical Partner Support phases to Mott MacDonald, WSP, Ramboll, Arup and AECOM.

WSP will lead as National Highways’ technical partner, supported by Mott MacDonald and other partners, providing programme leadership, technical assurance and delivery support.

The project will identify and deliver designs to treat surface water runoff from the highest risk outfalls on the strategic road network. Treatment will include either nature based solutions or engineered approaches delivered primarily within the existing road boundary.

Working closely with National Highways and partners, Mott MacDonald will support the development of a long term, evidence led approach to water quality improvements, ensuring interventions are targeted, proportionate and aligned with wider environmental goals.

Stephen Elderkin, director of environmental sustainability at National Highways, said: “We are committed to addressing the risk of pollution from road run-off. Alongside publishing a list of areas which require mitigation, a new national programme for improving water quality on our roads has now been established to tackle this important issue.”

Richard Colville National Highways client director at Mott MacDonald said: “We’re looking forward to continuing to work with National Highways, the technical partners and wider stakeholders to build on the progress already made in designing and coordinating the delivery of pollution mitigation schemes. This programme highlights our shared commitment to improving water quality outcomes, delivering current schemes and putting in place the framework for future mitigation schemes.”

The Water Quality Plan forms a key part of National Highways’ commitment to reducing pollution from road run off and improving the condition of rivers, streams and groundwater in the vicinity of the strategic road network.

This programme highlights our shared commitment to improving water quality outcomes, delivering current schemes and putting in place the framework for future mitigation schemes.

During Phase 1, the partners will provide a range of specialist technical and programme management support services to accelerate delivery of commitments made within National Highways Water Quality Plan: Mitigating high risk outfalls and soakaways. 

The projects key objectives are three-fold. Firstly the provision of a programme management function that supports the effective delivery of the plan’s commitments in Road Period 3 (RP3). Secondly the accelerated preliminary design and development of a delivery programme with Operations Directorate by the end of RP3 for a programme of up to 250 mitigations.  Lastly is the development of a long-term strategy and implementation plan for managing the risk of pollution from the SRN by 2050, including the provision of a funding bid for RP4 (2031-2036).