The Highways Podcast

Dom Browne speaks with Neil Levett

Dominic Browne is joined by Nick Denning, Managing Director of Associated Asphalt, to explore how construction is shifting from confrontation to collaboration.

Nick shares his journey back into the industry, the power of partnering, and why trust, respect and psychological safety are essential for better decisions, stronger teams and safer workplaces.

They also discuss building a diverse, multigenerational workforce, changing expectations around flexibility, the skills crisis, and why creating a positive workplace culture matters for the future of construction.

A conversation about putting people first, and how collaboration can help transform the industry.

For this bonus episode of the Highways Podcast, editor Dominic Browne speaks to Dr Campbell Waddell, managing director of surface testing professionals R3, and John Scott, senior civil engineer for road structural maintenance at Transport Scotland (pavement manager for BEAR Scotland at the time of the project), about the A889 and their use of SmoothRide technology.  

A winner of last year’s Highways Award for Best Use of Technology, the UK-first project saw the use of a fully integrated digital workflow. R3 were able to use high-speed LiDAR scanning, digital twins and automated variable-depth milling to replace traditional resurfacing methods with an approach most common with Formula 1 racetracks and international airports. 

Listen in to learn not just how R3 approached some of the challenges specific to Scotland and the A883, but also how this project could serve as a model for the future of smart highways maintenance, resurfacing and road construction.  

Welcome to the Highways Magazine podcast, where we bring you valuable insights from industry leaders. In this episode, Dominic Browne, Editor of Highways Magazine had the pleasure of speaking with Rob Shearing, the Chief Executive of the Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA). With a rich background in finance and a passion for making a difference, Rob has been instrumental in steering the RSMA towards enhancing road safety and awareness about road markings.

Rob shares insights on creating a safer, more inclusive sector through proactive training and pioneering projects like all-female crews. Learn how new tech and strategic alliances are shaping the future of road safety and workforce wellbeing. Perfect for those committed to safer, equitable roads, this episode reveals how small changes can lead to big wins.

In this first episode Dominic Browne, editor of Highways Magazine discusses why you should never play poker with outgoing National Highways chief executive Nick Harris, the DfT's national road safety strategy, local road maintenance ratings, pavement parking and some of the exciting things the magazine has coming up.

Listen in and join the debate.

Episode 2 will feature the mighty Rob Shearing, CEO of RSMA, out later this month.

In this special episode, Dominic Browne and George Barker share exciting updates from the Highways team - including the launch of our brand-new website, the introduction of The Highways Podcast, and what’s next for the publication.

Join us as we go behind the scenes of the UK’s leading roads and transport platform to explore how we’re evolving to bring even more insights, interviews, and innovation to the highways industry.