The Northway Roads Expo conference runs in eight open theatres on the exhibition floor. Every session is free for registered attendees, there is no need to book, and seats are first come, first served.
Sessions last 30 or 45 minutes. Most are panels of three or four speakers with a chair, followed by questions from the floor.
The theatres
- Keynote TheatreThe big picture: national policy, investment plans and the opening keynote by the Secretary of State's roads adviser at 9:30 on 8 June.
- Strategic RoadsMotorways and major trunk roads: the next road investment period, smart motorways, major schemes and how National Roadways works with its supply chain.
- Local AuthorityCouncils and combined authorities: funding, potholes, active travel, bus priority and the realities of maintaining local roads on a tight budget.
- Digital RoadsData, sensors and software: digital twins, connected and automated vehicles, traffic management systems and cyber security.
- Network ResilienceKeeping roads open: flooding, extreme heat, winter service, structures and emergency response.
- SustainabilityCarbon and nature: low-carbon materials, electrification of plant, biodiversity net gain and measuring whole-life carbon.
- Civils & MaterialsThe physical road: asphalt, concrete, recycling, surfacing techniques and new standards, co-produced with the Asphalt Quality Forum.
- Safety & PeopleRoad worker safety, road user safety, skills shortages, apprenticeships and diversity in the workforce.
Highlights for 2027
On 8 June, a panel of four council highway directors discusses what they would do with an extra ten years of guaranteed funding. On 9 June, the Digital Roads theatre hosts the first public demonstration of the North West connected corridor's live data feed.
Apply to speak
The call for speakers is open until 31 January 2027. The programme team looks for practical case studies, honest lessons from projects that went wrong, and speakers from authorities as well as suppliers. Sales pitches are not accepted. Apply through the form on this site or write to speakers@northwayroads.example.
Recordings
Keynote Theatre and Strategic Roads sessions are recorded and published on this site within two weeks of the expo. Other theatres are not recorded.