How Asbestos Surveys Are Conducted on the UK’s Strategic Road Network

Asbestos, once widely used in construction, poses significant health risks if disturbed. The UK’s Strategic Road Network (SRN) — a vast system of highways, bridges, tunnels, and associated infrastructure — requires stringent control measures to manage Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs). To ensure safety, compliance, and operational continuity, the Highways Agency has developed a structured approach through the General Asbestos Management Plan (GAMP), as detailed in the official guidance document.

This blog outlines how asbestos surveys are systematically conducted across the UK’s SRN, the standards followed, and the roles of various stakeholders.

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1. Overview of the Strategic Road Network and Asbestos Risk

The UK’s Strategic Road Network encompasses approximately:

• 7,500 km of roads
• Over 16,000 highway structures (including bridges and culverts)
• 100,000+ electrical and telecom assets
• Multiple depots, control rooms, tunnels, and other buildings

Many of these assets were built before 2000 — a time when asbestos use was widespread. The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR 2006, later updated as CAR 2012) requires responsible organizations to manage the risk of asbestos exposure. The Highways Agency (HA), through its GAMP, ensures compliance across this network.

2. Legal Framework: Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR)

Under Regulation 4 of CAR, organizations responsible for non-domestic premises must:

• Identify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
• Assess and manage the associated risks
• Keep records of ACMs
• Ensure that information is available to anyone who may come into contact with asbestos

To meet these legal requirements, the HA implements several plans:

• GAMP: Umbrella strategy for asbestos management
• AAPs (Asbestos Action Plans): Specific to individual assets or highway lengths
• AAMPs (Area Asbestos Management Plans) and SAMPs (Scheme Asbestos Management Plans): Regional or project-specific adaptations
• TNAMP: For managing asbestos in technology assets

3. How Asbestos Surveys Are Prioritized and Scheduled

Given the scale of the SRN, the HA employs a phased approach aiming for full asbestos survey coverage by March 2025, with a minimum of 5% of the network surveyed annually. Priority is given to:

• Older parts of the network
• Assets scheduled for maintenance or upgrade
• Areas with suspected or known ACM presence

Surveys are required even before major works begin. For example, Preferred Route Announcements trigger a requirement for a SAMP at the preliminary design stage.

4. Survey Scope: What Is Inspected?

Surveys cover a wide range of highway and roadside assets. Common asbestos-containing materials include:

Structures and Roads

• Bridge deck formwork and filler boards
• Pipe insulation and joint mastics
• Bitumastic coatings
• Electrical ducting and fuse assemblies

Buildings and Depots

• Roof sheeting, ceiling tiles, insulation
• Water tanks, lagging, and wall panels

Tunnels

• Dust deposits (e.g., brake lining residue)
• Rope gaskets, lagging on mechanical systems
• Fireproofing materials on cable ducts

No survey is required for assets built or installed after 2000, as asbestos use was banned in the UK from November 1999.

5. The Asbestos Survey Process

Step 1: Desktop Review

Providers first check existing records through HA databases like TPMS, HAPMS, and SMIS for known ACMs.

Step 2: On-Site Survey

Specialist contractors conduct:

• Management Surveys – for normal occupation/maintenance
• Refurbishment/Demolition Surveys – prior to intrusive works

All surveys must follow templates provided in IAN 63/05, and reports are stored as tagged PDFs.

Step 3: Record and Upload

Surveys are compiled into AAPs and uploaded to official HA systems. These databases ensure traceability and availability to all stakeholders, including:

• Emergency services
• Local authorities
• Utilities
• Contractors

6. Roles and Responsibilities

Highways Agency

• Sets policy via GAMP
• Oversees compliance
• Maintains national guidance and templates

Service Providers (MACs, TechMACs, Contractors)

• Execute surveys
• Maintain records and submit AAPs
• Ensure internal staff are trained under CAR Regulation 10

Major Projects Directorate (MPD)

• Develops SAMPs for large-scale works
• Coordinates survey data during planning and post-construction

7. Training and Awareness

The HA requires all service providers to:

• Nominate trained AAP Owners
• Maintain sufficient trained staff to manage asbestos risk
• Comply with CAR training standards

While initial training was centrally provided, future training responsibilities lie with providers. The HA Asbestos Management Team (HAAMT) offers guidance upon request.

8. Quality Control, Audits, and Continuous Review

To ensure safety and legal compliance:

• Monthly progress reports are submitted
• HAAMT conducts random audits
• Feedback loops inform updates to the GAMP
• Performance is measured through KPIs and audit results

Conclusion

Managing asbestos on the UK’s Strategic Road Network is a complex but critical task that prioritizes health, safety, and legal compliance. Through the implementation of structured plans like GAMP, AAPs, and SAMPs, the Highways Agency ensures that asbestos risks are minimized, workforces are protected, and road users remain safe.

By 2025, the goal is to have 100% of the SRN surveyed, making the network not only functionally efficient but also environmentally secure.

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