The A38 multi-disciplinary scheme was a unique challenge, predominantly due to the complexity of the assets that needed to be upgraded, and the need to meet the requirements of the range of stakeholders and customers.
The scheme required exceptional levels of planning and collaboration across 22 different teams from National Highways and 10 delivery partners, but the most impressive aspect was the liaison and involvement of the external stakeholders.
‘This scheme didn’t start with outputs, it started with identifying the outcomes we wanted to achieve. We recognised that we needed to make the core assets easier to maintain and repair. We didn’t want to create chaos in the surrounding villages, and we wanted to resolve a number of long-standing customer complaints. These were all outcomes; we knew that the outputs would follow naturally by addressing what we wanted to achieve.’
The scheme took place from March to October 2023, along a 7km stretch of dual-carriageway between Lichfield and Burton-upon-Trent. Activities included the replacement of the vehicle restraint system, road surfacing and marking, streetlight upgrades, improved signage, de-vegetation of the verges and significant drainage improvements.
