Where will the next wave of roads investment go, and what will the industry have to deliver in return? Highways Voices brings you the announcements, candid warnings and practical innovations from the opening day of Highways UK 2026 at Birmingham’s NEC.

Paul Hutton takes you straight to the keynote stage to hear National Highways Chief Executive Nick Joyce and Roads Minister Justin Madders. With £27 billion of strategic roads investment discussed, Mr Joyce challenges the sector on inconsistent workmanship and asks why promising innovations so often fail to reach everyday use. He also announces up to £1 million for a challenge aimed at reducing roadworkers’ exposure to risk. Mr Madders sets out the Government’s funding priorities—and delivers a blunt message about schemes it cannot afford.

These podcasts from Highways UK are sponsored by AGD Systems, Arcadis, Nicander, SWARCO and Westcotec.

Then we head onto the exhibition floor to explore what a more resilient road network actually requires. Arcadis’ Cécile Cluitmans joins National Highways Chief Customer and Strategy Officer Elliot Shaw for a conversation spanning extreme weather, cyber attacks, electric vehicle charging and automated vehicles. What happens when the digital systems travellers depend on stop working? And could data collected by driverless vehicles help authorities understand the condition of their roads?

Protecting the people who keep those roads moving is another central theme. Speaking to Libby McMahon, Levett Business Services Managing Director Neil Levett explains how the No Excuse for Road Worker Abuse initiative aims to turn shared incident data into practical prevention. Hear why collaboration between clients, contractors and competitors matters—and what organisations can do to support their frontline teams.

Subscribe to Highways Voices on your favourite podcast platform and never miss an episode.

There is plenty for technology specialists and local authorities too. AGD Systems Senior Commercial Manager Kieran Corbally introduces an AI-based detector designed to recognise pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users, explaining how it could help crossings respond to changing demand. He also discusses AGD Connect and securing access to roadside equipment. SWARCO Head of Business Development Mike Guerin takes us through MyCity, showing how authorities can bring together data and existing infrastructure from different suppliers to manage their networks more effectively.

Finally, Claudia Davidson, Terrapinn’s General Manager – Infrastructure and the organiser behind Highways UK, takes us behind the scenes of the awards and previews the next day’s focus on digital technology and safety. Alongside the interviews, company profiles introduce Westcotec’s road safety technology through Sales Director Olly Samways and give a flavour of Nicander’s work connecting transport systems internationally.

From the decisions shaping your investment pipeline to the tools that could improve your next project, this episode connects the big announcements with the people putting them into practice.

Highways Voices is brought to you with our podcast partners the Transport Technology Forum, LCRIG, ITS UK and ADEPT.