Asbestos management remains one of the most critical safety and compliance responsibilities in maintaining the UK’s Strategic Road Network (SRN). A large portion of bridges, tunnels, depots, and roadside assets across the network were built before 2000, when asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were commonly used in infrastructure construction.
To protect workers, contractors, and the public, National Highways operates under a structured framework known as the General Asbestos Management Plan (GAMP). This framework ensures asbestos risks are identified, recorded, and managed in compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and supporting guidance such as Interim Advice Note IAN 63/05.
This guide explains how asbestos surveys are conducted across the UK SRN, helping engineers, contractors, and infrastructure professionals understand the process used to manage asbestos risks safely using intelligent infrastructure monitoring platforms like Road asset monitoring solutions.
The General Asbestos Management Plan (GAMP) provides a structured system for managing asbestos risks across the UK’s Strategic Road Network. Under this framework, National Highways fulfills its legal duty to manage asbestos under Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations.
The framework coordinates inspections, documentation, and monitoring of asbestos-containing materials through structured asset management processes supported by AI-powered infrastructure monitoring.
GAMP requires the development of several key management documents:
• Area Asbestos Management Plans (AAMPs)
• Scheme Asbestos Management Plans (SAMPs)
• Asbestos Action Plans (AAPs)
Together, these documents ensure asbestos risks are properly identified, recorded, and communicated across highway infrastructure projects.
Many SRN assets were constructed before the UK asbestos ban in 1999. Without systematic surveys, routine activities such as drilling, resurfacing, or structural repairs could accidentally disturb asbestos-containing materials.
Infrastructure inspection technologies help authorities monitor road environments while ensuring safe maintenance practices.
Asbestos surveys are therefore essential to ensure:
• protection of workers and contractors
• public health and safety
• compliance with asbestos legislation
• safe planning of maintenance works
• prevention of uncontrolled disturbance of ACMs
These surveys form the foundation for responsible infrastructure safety management.
To achieve compliance with Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations, National Highways implemented a long-term survey program covering the entire Strategic Road Network.
Key targets under the GAMP strategy include:
• 2005–2025: 20-year asbestos survey program
• Annual target: Minimum 5% survey coverage of network assets
• Completion of asbestos action plans for high-risk infrastructure
• Full network asbestos survey coverage by 2025
Digital infrastructure platforms such as Highway asset intelligence systems help support long-term asset monitoring and safety compliance.
Priority survey areas include:
• older highway infrastructure
• locations scheduled for maintenance
• structures where asbestos presence is suspected
Two primary types of asbestos surveys are conducted across the Strategic Road Network.
4.1 Management Surveys
Management surveys are conducted for routine maintenance activities.
These surveys identify asbestos materials that could be disturbed during everyday operations such as minor repairs, inspections, or routine maintenance.
The condition and risk level of asbestos-containing materials are recorded and monitored.
4.2 Refurbishment or Demolition Surveys
Refurbishment or demolition surveys are more intrusive and required before major construction or structural modifications.
These surveys help locate all asbestos-containing materials before infrastructure upgrades such as bridge rehabilitation or tunnel reconstruction.
Asbestos surveys follow a structured process to ensure consistency and regulatory compliance.
The process typically includes:
• reviewing existing infrastructure records and asset databases
• conducting on-site inspections and material sampling
• laboratory testing by accredited asbestos laboratories
• risk classification based on material condition and exposure potential
• documenting results within formal Asbestos Action Plans
• uploading records into National Highways asset management systems
Advanced Road condition monitoring technologies help infrastructure teams monitor surrounding road environments during inspection and maintenance activities.
Asbestos surveys on the Strategic Road Network cover a wide range of infrastructure assets.
Highway structures may include:
• bridge expansion joints and filler boards
• bearing components and structural gaskets
• drainage and service pipe materials
Tunnel infrastructure may include:
• rope seals and gaskets
• ventilation duct insulation
• electrical lagging materials
Other surveyed assets include:
• roadside equipment cabinets
• highway lighting infrastructure
• service ducts and cable trough systems
• maintenance depots and roadside facilities
Infrastructure built after 2000 is generally excluded unless asbestos presence is suspected.
Accurate documentation is a core requirement of the GAMP framework. All asbestos survey findings must be recorded and stored in approved asset management systems.
These systems include:
• TPMS – Technology Performance Management System
• SMIS – Structures Management Information System
• HAPMS – Highway Asset and Pavement Management System
Digital platforms such as Smart road infrastructure management tools help authorities integrate asset monitoring data with long-term infrastructure planning strategies.
Under Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations, individuals who may encounter asbestos must receive proper training.
Service providers responsible for SRN maintenance must:
• appoint responsible asbestos management personnel
• ensure staff complete asbestos awareness training
• coordinate with contractors and infrastructure stakeholders
These stakeholders include:
• National Highways asset managers
• contractors and supply chain partners
• emergency response services
• infrastructure maintenance teams
Proper training and communication help reduce operational risks across the network.
Effective asbestos management requires continuous monitoring and periodic reviews.
GAMP includes several oversight mechanisms:
• monthly reporting by maintenance providers
• annual performance reviews
• risk-based infrastructure audits
• continuous procedural improvements
These monitoring practices ensure that asbestos risks are managed proactively across the UK highway network.
10. Role of AI in Modern Infrastructure Monitoring
Modern infrastructure management increasingly relies on artificial intelligence and computer vision technologies. Platforms such as AI road inspection platforms enable authorities to monitor road infrastructure at scale.
Solutions like the Pavement monitoring AI system automatically detect potholes, cracks, and surface deterioration across highway networks.
By combining digital road monitoring with safety frameworks such as asbestos management programs, infrastructure operators can:
• reduce emergency maintenance risks
• improve worker safety
• optimize lifecycle asset planning
• strengthen compliance monitoring
Managing asbestos across the UK’s Strategic Road Network requires a structured, long-term approach. Through frameworks like the General Asbestos Management Plan, systematic surveys, and centralized data systems, National Highways ensures that asbestos risks are carefully controlled across critical infrastructure assets.
As road networks continue to evolve, integrating traditional safety management practices with advanced technologies such as AI-driven infrastructure monitoring will play an essential role in maintaining safe, resilient, and compliant transportation systems.
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