The Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) made national news earlier this week, featuring in the Sunday edition of The Times alongside LCRIG member, Blackpool Council.
In an article entitled ‘The town that had 2,628 potholes — and the council mended the lot’, the council’s proactive approach to highway maintenance and their adoption of an early intervention policy was described as ‘remarkable’.
The approach was implemented under the leadership of Will Britain, former Head of Highways and Traffic Management Services at Blackpool Council and President of LCRIG. After starting his career as a Junior Trainee Technician in June 1979, Will established LCRIG in 2013 to encourage councils to work together and with the ‘highways community’ to support the Department for Transport (DfT) to deliver innovation on a national level.
Fast forward to today and with a membership base of 118 Council Members, 164 Associate (supply chain) Members, 28 Partner Members and 10 Academia members, Will’s legacy continues with LCRIG remaining dedicated to connecting the sector through innovation and collaboration.
Commenting on the article, LCRIG’s Chief Executive, Paula Claytonsmith said: “Councils across England are working hard to improve the condition of our local roads. Blackpool Council’s journey is a shining example of this, along with many other councils and it is great to see the positive work going on in our sector highlighted on a national platform.
“LCRIG is committed to supporting local authorities and facilitating collaboration between councils, the supply chain, key organisations, industry associations, academia and the media to share best practice and help local authorities navigate innovation in new technologies.”
“At LCRIG, we get to hear about lots of exciting things that are happening in our sector such as new innovations and emerging technologies and we are proud to be able to showcase these and share best practice through events such as our Innovation & Learning Festival.”
Find out more about the Innovation & Learning Festival here.