News

The UK’s leading traffic and parking tradeshow, Traffex/Parkex returns in June with a new and improved strategic approach, and more conference content than ever before.

National Highways boss Nick Harris will deliver the keynote address at Traffex this year as part of a new partnership between the largest client in the UK and the leading roads conference in the country.

Traffex takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 6-8 June, alongside Parkex, the flagship annual conference and exhibition hosted by the British Parking Association.

The Traffex 2023 conference programme is set across four dedicated theatres, plus another Parkex theatre, discussing the key challenges facing those responsible for the construction, management and maintenance of the roads sector, while the exhibition will feature leading suppliers from the highways and traffic sector.

Leading a host of key players from the government-owned company, Mr Harris will address the Highways Strategy Stage on the opening morning on the subject of delivering the second Road Investment Strategy (RIS 2) and looking ahead to RIS 3.

Following Mr Harris, RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding, a co-convenor of the Road Investment Scrutiny Panel, will present the findings of the panel’s recent report and address seven key questions about road spending.

Other headline acts include Tier 1 firms such as Arup, Colas, Kier, Ringway, Tarmac and Yunex as well as the Department for Transport.

Show director Gordon Kirk said: ‘We have a brand new team that has transformed Traffex, thanks in no small part to our revitalised partnership with National Highways. We are working closer than ever with the largest client in the UK roads sector and are proud to have National Highways’ chief executive Nick Harris opening this year’s event.

‘He will be joined by a host of his colleagues, who will be speaking across 10 additional sessions, alongside a broad range of their Tier 1 partners. The thousands of Traffex attendees this summer will enjoy access to what is our largest conference programme to date, with four dedicated theatres for the first time ever – all completely free to attend.

‘Traffex has always been at the heart of the highways sector and now more than ever we are part of its guiding mind. Our strategic content programme has been carefully curated alongside National Highways and a range of the industry’s leading trade bodies, boasting not just the biggest names but also the most important subjects that will help set the tone for the sector for the year to come and the roads of tomorrow.’

A new innovation for 2023 is the Highways Excellence Stage, which will see presentations based on best practice and award winning schemes and innovations transforming the sector.

Delegates visiting the Local Roads Theatre will hear about the issues facing the network away from the strategic network, while the EV infrastructure theatre will address the challenges of the transition away from the internal combustion engine.

Mr Kirk added: ‘To facilitate even more discussions at the show, we have also introduced a networking lounge, helping make Traffex the best place to see and be seen by the biggest names in the business.

‘Traffex is unique in that it doesn’t just host debates, but also showcases award-winning

project and engineering case studies. Winners of prestigious awards from across

the entire industry will gather to share best practice and the latest insights in the sector.

We look forward to seeing you there in June.’

The conference programme

The Traffex and Parkex 2023 conference programme will be delivered across five theatres in total, with support from our show partners, and will feature practical takeaway strategies, expert guidance and innovative solutions from a host of influential policymakers, sector innovators and leading suppliers.

Highways Strategy Stage

Providing insights into future investment in the management of the strategic road network as well as specific goals and action plans to address key sector challenges, including decarbonisation, the digital transition, skills shortage, and enhancing road safety and EDI.

Highways Excellence Stage

Showcasing schemes and innovations that have won awards or been recognised by industry bodies for their accomplishments. This stream brings together best-in-class projects from a broad spectrum of highways and local roads initiatives. Celebrating quality and excellence, this is a platform for learning and expertise to be shared across the sector, in keeping with the Traffex theme of ‘better roads for a better tomorrow’. 

Local Roads Theatre

Facing cost pressures and the need to modernise their networks: what innovations can local authorities use to deliver more sustainable travel networks? Furthermore, how can micromobility become a safe and useful part of the urban transport network, what progress is being made on

improving air quality, and what are the latest developments in maintenance?

EV Infrastructure Theatre

A platform focused on the practical delivery of a cost-efficient electric vehicle charging

network, taking into account future mobility aspirations, the current and upcoming solutions for on-street charging, and how local authorities are accommodating EV charging on their networks

BPA Parkex Theatre

The BPA Parkex Hub provides an opportunity for you to see and hear from BPA members, who are at the forefront of many of the leading initiatives that are changing the way the parking and mobility sector is perceived. The Hub will help make the parking experience a better one for all, while ensuring that those on the frontline of delivering parking services are well supported to lead the way forward into a world Beyond Parking, giving you the tools and knowledge to deliver parking solutions for the future.

In 2023, Traffex will once again be co-located with Parkex, providing the opportunity to connect with key suppliers from the parking ecosystem and leading members of the British Parking Association (BPA).

ABOUT

Traffex is the UK’s leading sourcing show for public and private sector buyers responsible for delivering, maintaining and developing the UK road network.

Parkex is the flagship annual conference and exhibition hosted by the BPA and as such attracts the brightest brains and most innovative providers from across the parking sector.

FREE TO ATTEND: uniting the entire supply chain for 3 days of strategy, networking and engineering excellence.