Collaborative working delivers best practice on A19 in the north east of England

Product: +950,000 tonnes of bespoke asphalt, including almost 52,000 tonnes of ERA warm mix asphalt
Main contractor: Sir Robert McAlpine
Client: Autolink Concessionaires (A19) Ltd

Overview: A one team approach to partnership working has successfully delivered the 30-year A19 Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) contract to improve and maintain over 120km of dual carriageway on behalf of National Highways. The project has delivered excellent customer service and health and safety performance, a reduction in CO₂ emissions, and positive social value outcomes for local communities.

Project description: The A19 Dishforth to Tyne Tunnel DBFO contract is a 30-year concession to improve and maintain over 120km of strategic dual carriageway, including routine operations and major maintenance.

Autolink Concessionaires (A19) Ltd is responsible for the overall management and operation of the A19 project, with Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM) employed as the maintenance contractor and Heidelberg Materials Contracting employed to carry out the carriageway resurfacing works.

The companies have embraced the principles of a one team approach to collaborative working – focusing on health, safety, and sustainability – with all parties sharing an office in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, close to the A19 to enhance service delivery through innovation and cost-effective solutions.

A Collaboration Charter sets out the expectations, values and standards for the partnership and emphasises the importance of a collective effort and shared responsibility in ensuring delivery of a high quality, best value service.

Progress is monitored through a shared KPI system with performance measured across key areas such as design, construction, cost, time, carbon and quality to promote continuous improvement.

A19 project highlights include:

Zero lost time incidents in the last five years.
100 per cent of schemes completed on time in the last five years.
100 per cent of worn-out planings recycled back into the road network, promoting the circular economy.
Almost 52,000 tonnes of asphalt produced using Heidelberg Materials’ ERA warm mix process, reducing CO₂ emissions by 486 tonnes.
Continuing to deliver social value, engaging a local workforce, supporting SMEs and jointly fundraising for local charities.
Securing/maintaining the ISO 44001 Collaborative Business Relationships Standard.
Being recognised as the ‘top road’ in the 2024 Strategic Road Users Survey carried out by Transport Focus. The A19 achieved the highest level of overall satisfaction with 85 per cent and also topped the table for road surface quality (89 per cent) and journey time (82 per cent).

The A19 DBFO project is approaching its conclusion, and the focus is now on a seamless transfer to National Highways to ensure uninterrupted service to road users.