AECOM-Led Team Appointed to National Highways’ Strategic Framework
AECOM , the trusted global infrastructure consulting leader, today announced that it has secured a significant role on National Highways’ Specialist Professional and Technical Services 3 (SPaTS3) framework in the United Kingdom. Appointed as part of a consortium with global engineering and design consultancy Arup, AECOM will contribute its world-class technical expertise, design capability, and advisory services to support the continued development, safety, and sustainability of England’s extensive strategic road network.
The SPaTS3 framework, which has a potential maximum value of up to £495 million across six suppliers, is scheduled to run for six years, with the framework expected to be active until 2031. The appointment represents the latest phase of National Highways’ efforts to modernize, manage, and improve England’s vital transport infrastructure. National Highways, which oversees approximately 4,500 miles of motorways and major A-roads, relies on this framework to access highly specialized professional and technical services that ensure the network remains resilient, efficient, and future-ready.
Building on a Proven Partnership
The appointment reinforces the successful collaboration between AECOM and Arup, who also partnered under the previous SPaTS framework. Together, the two companies have demonstrated the ability to deliver integrated solutions that address both immediate infrastructure challenges and long-term goals such as decarbonization, safety, and climate resilience.
Through this renewed framework appointment, AECOM and Arup will continue to provide comprehensive services to National Highways, spanning advisory, design, engineering, and technical innovation. The consortium’s combined expertise positions it strongly to support some of the most ambitious infrastructure initiatives in the UK, particularly as the government seeks to balance increased connectivity with sustainability targets.
Strategic Importance of the SPaTS3 Framework
The SPaTS3 framework is one of National Highways’ cornerstone mechanisms for engaging with industry leaders. With a six-year term and a high-value pipeline, the framework not only represents an opportunity for suppliers but also underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining and upgrading the strategic road network as a national asset.
England’s motorways and A-roads play a central role in supporting the country’s economy. They enable the movement of people and goods, underpin logistics and trade, and connect regional economies to global markets. As travel demand evolves, climate pressures intensify, and digital technology continues to reshape mobility, frameworks like SPaTS3 ensure that National Highways has access to the best expertise and innovation from industry.
The framework will deliver technical and advisory services in areas such as:
- Safety Enhancements: Supporting National Highways in its commitment to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on the road network.
- Resilience and Asset Management: Helping ensure that critical infrastructure withstands the pressures of climate change, heavy usage, and future demands.
- Sustainability and Carbon Reduction: Advising and designing for lower-carbon construction and operations, aligning with the UK government’s net-zero goals.
- Digital Innovation: Leveraging data, digital design, and intelligent transport systems to improve efficiency and connectivity across the network.
AECOM’s Commitment to National Highways and the UK
The appointment builds upon AECOM’s decades-long role as a trusted partner to UK government agencies and infrastructure owners. AECOM has consistently delivered across a wide range of transport initiatives, including major highway improvements, strategic upgrades, and advisory projects that have transformed regional mobility.
As a global infrastructure leader, AECOM brings its international expertise and lessons learned from projects across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia, applying best practices to the UK’s unique transport challenges. By combining this global perspective with deep local knowledge, AECOM is well-positioned to help National Highways implement innovative and sustainable solutions.
Mark Southwell, Chief Executive of AECOM’s global Transportation business, highlighted the significance of this appointment:
“As the world’s top highways design firm, we look forward to applying our international advisory expertise to realize this framework’s ambitious infrastructure objectives. Our collaborative and integrated approach enables us to apply world-class capabilities and technical excellence to help ensure England’s roadways are sustainable and fit for the future.”
Richard Whitehead, Chief Executive of AECOM’s Europe & India region, emphasized the firm’s long-standing commitment to National Highways:
“This appointment builds on our extensive track record of success delivering for National Highways. We will bring the full breadth of our engineering advisory expertise to this framework, supporting National Highways as it continues to enhance the efficiency, safety and resilience of England’s strategic road network.”
The Role of Sustainability and Resilience
A central theme of the SPaTS3 framework is the drive toward more sustainable and resilient infrastructure. National Highways is tasked not only with maintaining existing assets but also with ensuring that future investments align with environmental goals. This includes reducing carbon emissions from construction, promoting circular economy principles in materials use, and designing assets that can adapt to changing weather patterns and extreme events.
AECOM has made sustainability and resilience cornerstones of its global strategy. The firm’s approach integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities into every stage of project delivery. In the UK, AECOM has already applied this expertise to help clients develop pathways to net-zero, incorporate renewable energy solutions, and embed biodiversity considerations into transport planning.
The company’s role in SPaTS3 will therefore not only focus on engineering excellence but also on guiding National Highways toward a more sustainable future for road transport infrastructure.
Driving Innovation in Transport Infrastructure
Innovation is another defining feature of AECOM’s contribution. With the rapid advancement of digital technologies, transport networks are undergoing a profound transformation. Intelligent transport systems, connected vehicle technologies, and data-driven asset management are reshaping how roads are designed, built, and operated.
AECOM has invested heavily in digital engineering, advanced modelling, and data analytics to ensure clients benefit from smarter solutions. Within the SPaTS3 framework, these capabilities will help National Highways improve efficiency, enhance safety, and optimize long-term maintenance strategies.
Broader Economic and Social Impact
The appointment also carries wider economic and social significance. By ensuring that England’s strategic roads remain efficient and resilient, the framework supports economic productivity, regional development, and social connectivity. Roads remain a backbone of the UK’s transport system, and investments made through SPaTS3 will deliver benefits that extend far beyond the highways sector.
Well-functioning highways reduce travel times, lower logistics costs, and improve reliability for businesses, while also supporting communities by connecting people to jobs, services, and leisure opportunities. AECOM’s participation in this framework is therefore not only about technical delivery but also about shaping outcomes that benefit society at large.
AECOM’s appointment to the SPaTS3 framework, in partnership with Arup, reaffirms its position as a global leader in infrastructure consulting and as a trusted partner to National Highways. With a framework value of up to £495 million and a duration extending until 2031, this opportunity allows AECOM to play a central role in shaping the future of England’s 4,500-mile strategic road network.
By combining global expertise with local experience, prioritizing sustainability and resilience, and driving innovation in design and delivery, AECOM will help National Highways achieve its mission of ensuring that England’s roadways remain safe, efficient, and ready to meet the demands of the future.
