Highways Design
Highways Design
Integrated Highways and Infrastructure Design for Adoptable and Private Roads
Comprehensive highways design from initial layout through to Section 38/278 approval, delivering adoptable infrastructure that meets highway authority standards and integrates seamlessly with drainage systems.
Overview
WCI Consulting Engineers provides comprehensive highways design services integrated with our drainage expertise ensuring roads and associated infrastructure work together as cohesive, adoptable systems.
Our highways design covers everything from initial access strategy through to detailed construction drawings for Section 38 and Section 278 agreements, with particular strength in the drainage and utilities coordination that often causes adoption delays.
Highway Authority Approval
Development access and internal roads must satisfy highway authority requirements for geometry, visibility, construction standards, and safety. Professional design that meets these standards expedites planning approval and adoption agreements.
WCI Consulting Engineers have a comprehensive understanding of both Section 38 & Section 278 agreements. Professional design manages this process efficiently, securing approvals and minimising commuted sum payments.
The WCI Difference - Integrated Infrastructure
Highways drainage, utilities, structures and surfacing must work together. Fragmented design by multiple consultants causes coordination failures. The WCI Groups integrated approach prevents these problems.
Drainage Integration
Highway drainage is integral to road design, not an afterthought. As drainage specialists, we design highway drainage that actually works with proper gradients, adequate capacity, adoptable standards and SuDS integration where required.
Construction-Informed Design
As part of WCI Group, we understand construction practicalities from excavation depths, service coordination, construction sequencing and buildability. Our highway designs can actually be constructed efficiently.
End-to-End Capability
WCI Group can take highways projects from design through construction to long-term maintenance of drainage and utilities.
Our Design Process
1. Access Strategy
Early engagement with highway authorities to agree access principles, junction types, and design parameters before detailed design investment.
2. Preliminary Design
Layout development coordinating highways, drainage, utilities, and structures. Iteration with architects, landscape architects, and client requirements.
3. Detailed Design
Construction-ready documentation.
4. Adoption Process
Section 38/278 technical approval submission, response to authority comments, and agreement negotiation (including commuted sums and bond arrangements).
5. Construction Support
Site supervision, inspection liaison with adoption authorities, and coordination with contractor during construction phase.
Who This Service Is For
Commercial & Industrial Clients
Residential developers, commercial, and mixed-use developments requiring adoptable highway design for planning approval and construction delivery. Our designs secure adoption efficiently and minimise commuted sum payments.
Architects & Masterplanners
Highways and infrastructure design integrated with your masterplanning and architectural proposals. We coordinate with your design intent while satisfying highway authority requirements.
Public Sector
Local authorities, education and healthcare projects requiring professional highways design with appropriate quality assurance and adoption coordination.
Contractors (Design & Build)
Sub-consultant highways design services for design-build contracts, providing technical expertise that complements your construction capabilities.
Similar Projects
Highways Design
Highways and Drainage Design for a Coastal Devon Housing Development
WCI Consulting Engineers provided complete highways and drainage design for a residential development near Westward Ho! – achieving S38, S102 and S104 adoptions within a committed construction programme.
SuDS
SuDS Drainage Strategy for an Industrial Development in Flood Risk Zone 2
Twelve new industrial units near Wells came with a detailed SuDS planning condition in Flood Risk Zone 2. WCI Consulting Engineers designed a compliant below-ground attenuation scheme with full greenfield runoff calculations.
Capital Project Planning
Designing and Building a New Sewage Treatment Plant on a Tidal Island
WCI Consulting Engineers developed the foul drainage strategy for Burgh Island Hotel’s ten-year renovation in 2021. By 2024, we had designed and built it – on a tidal island accessible only by sand causeway.
Next Steps
Highways design that integrates properly with drainage and utilities, meets adoption standards, and can actually be built efficiently is essential for development success.
Discuss Your Highways Design Requirements
Request Design Proposal