“The past built it — the present must manage it safely.”
Much of the UK’s strategic road infrastructure predates the 2000 asbestos prohibition. As a result, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) remain present in tunnels, bridges, and associated highway assets. Managing this legacy risk is a structured national effort led by National Highways through the General Asbestos Management Plan (GAMP), ensuring compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Before its UK ban in 1999, asbestos was widely used for fireproofing, thermal insulation, jointing systems, and protective coatings.
Today, risk arises when ACMs are disturbed during maintenance, refurbishment, emergency repairs, or infrastructure upgrades. Once fibres become airborne, they present serious long-term health hazards. Effective Asbestos Risk Mitigation UK frameworks are therefore essential to protect workers, contractors, and the public.
In tunnel environments, asbestos may be present in ventilation duct insulation, fireproof linings, rope gaskets, and contaminated dust deposits accumulated over decades of operation. Structured UK Tunnel Asbestos Control procedures ensure these risks are identified before intrusive works begin.
Within bridges, ACMs may exist in expansion joint fillers, waterproofing boards, pipe lagging, sealants, and protective coatings applied during earlier construction periods. Implementing robust Bridge Asbestos Management Strategies helps prevent accidental fibre release during maintenance or structural upgrades.
The General Asbestos Management Plan (GAMP) establishes how asbestos risks are identified, assessed, recorded, and controlled across the Strategic Road Network managed by National Highways.
Under this framework:
ACMs are located through structured surveys.
Risks are evaluated based on condition and likelihood of disturbance.
Records are maintained in auditable digital systems.
Controls include monitoring, encapsulation, or licensed removal.
GAMP ensures compliance with Regulation 4 (“Duty to Manage”) under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
The asbestos management framework applies to bridges, tunnels, culverts, maintenance depots, electrical systems, control rooms, and service buildings under the stewardship of National Highways.
Although infrastructure constructed after 2000 is generally excluded due to the asbestos prohibition, verification checks may still be required during refurbishment projects to maintain National Highways Asbestos Management compliance standards.
Asbestos management across the Strategic Road Network follows a phased, prioritised programme.
High-risk assets are addressed first.
Annual survey targets are set across regions.
Older structures and refurbishment sites receive priority attention.
This structured rollout strengthens overall Highway Infrastructure Safety Governance and ensures compliance while balancing operational realities such as traffic management and funding cycles.
Routine and emergency works that may disturb ACMs include bridge deck repairs, joint replacements, tunnel ventilation upgrades, collision response, and winter maintenance interventions.
Under GAMP procedures, intrusive work cannot proceed without prior asbestos checks and appropriate control measures aligned with Asbestos Risk Mitigation UK standards.
Contractors and asset managers must nominate trained asbestos plan owners, provide asbestos awareness training, and meet Regulation 10 competency requirements under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Competence ensures that asbestos registers are properly interpreted and safe systems of work are consistently implemented.
The framework is monitored through compliance reporting, structured reviews, and independent audits. All asbestos documentation must be digitally stored, categorised, and accessible to authorised stakeholders.
Digital recordkeeping strengthens National Highways Asbestos Management systems and reduces the likelihood of accidental disturbance.
In addition, modern infrastructure intelligence platforms such as RoadVision AI support proactive asset condition monitoring. While not asbestos-specific, improved defect detection, lifecycle planning, and early intervention reduce unexpected intrusive works that could inadvertently disturb ACMs. Technology-driven planning enhances overall safety governance.
The UK’s structured asbestos management framework demonstrates how legacy infrastructure risks can be responsibly governed. Through the General Asbestos Management Plan (GAMP), National Highways ensures asbestos risks within tunnels and bridges are identified, controlled, and continuously monitored in line with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
With regulatory discipline, digital oversight, and intelligent monitoring tools such as RoadVision AI, the past can be managed safely in the present — protecting infrastructure users today and into the future.
The Autonomous Road Engineer
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