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We are celebrating ADEPT's 140th anniversary year by showcasing the voices of past and present ADEPT Presidents, reflecting on the evolution of place leadership and exploring the challenges, innovations and aspirations shaping the future of the sector. 

In her essay Ann Carruthers, President of ADEPT from 2024 - 2025 and Director of Environment and Transport at Leicestershire County Council, explores the topic "from potholes to smart roads: local highways and the future of infrastructure." 

I first started getting involved in ADEPT about 10 years ago as Assistant Director at LCC and began attending and later chairing the Transport and Connectivity Board meetings. Through this work I’ve come to see place as the cohesive, functioning, vibrant and resilient communities we work hard to create and support with the delivery of our place based services. 

Over my career there have been some real changes in how we manage highways. Firstly, our road and transport systems are all much busier as we travel more and have more vehicles. That puts additional demands on the transport networks we provide and public expectation on how that performs, has certainly risen. Secondly, as the level of funding has not kept up with inflation, we have struggled to invest the way we would have wanted with the resultant consequences.

Throughout my career, one of the biggest challenges has been catering for all the demands for travel and transport from the public, business and industry as well as the other infrastructure providers (utility companies etc) who need access to our road system. This has meant we are increasingly looking to innovative solutions, be that new materials that have a lower carbon impact, or implementing digital and AI based solutions to improve efficiencies and drive better outcomes and moving away from traditional models of providing transport.

Managing ageing infrastructure

The challenge of maintaining our highway networks has intensified significantly. More traffic usage, heavier vehicles, a changing climate, more utilities digging up our roads, and of course less money in real terms, means it has become a much harder job. For most authorities the money is spread too thinly – we simply can't invest in the way we want in preventative treatments that will make a difference to the condition of the highway.

While politicians and government are fixated with potholes, we know tackling potholes is not simply the answer to a well maintained network. The propensity over the last few decades of providing capital for new infrastructure, but not sufficiently funding maintenance of existing infrastructure has only exacerbated the issue. Ultimately network condition is declining: however, if there is a silver lining, it's that we’ve all had to be more innovative.

Digital transformation and asset management

When it comes to using digital and AI technology, we are currently only at the tip of the iceberg. As tech advances, I have no doubt we will be far more efficient in how we manage our assets. The value of research and development initiatives such as the DfT funded Live Labs 2 are invaluable in this space. 150-odd local highway authorities can't all trial the latest advances, we don't have the time or resource, so programmes like Live Labs 2 do that for us and reduce the risk, so we can make best use of our limited funding and smart investment.

Through my role in ADEPT, I was invited to present to about 30 of the key leaders across our sector on the challenges of maintaining our roads as a highway authority. At the end of my presentation, a key DfT rep expressed surprise at the inability the majority of local highway authorities have in funding any kind of structure renewal. 

A new Structures Fund is being introduced for LHAs from April 2026. I like to think ADEPT had just a wee bit of a role here and believe that our voice has been heard by those able to act to help - it shows that government takes ADEPT seriously.

Devolution and the future of local transport powers

Looking to the future, while local authorities already have significant local transport powers, the key to great placemaking will be genuine integration between transport and land use planning. I don't think the current system really allows that. 

I believe local government reform for the areas that don't have it will certainly move us forward. While devolution only really gives additional transport powers for bus franchising, the real opportunity from devolution that is hugely relevant to our placemaking world, is the ability to pull in greater levels of investment and then crucially, make strategic investment decisions through the Spatial Development Strategy process to really be in charge of our own place shaping destiny. Perhaps that will be our legacy.

I think we are now far more open to trialling and implementing innovation. We know roads and transport are only an enabler to vibrant communities, a strong economy and good quality of life so how we achieve that is not set in stone and we are certainly demonstrating a real appetite to continuously learn, adapt and deliver.

We have just seen the 200th anniversary of our railways. The Victorians knew how to build a legacy, so ADEPT's 140-year anniversary is timely. Our challenge is how we adapt what we have to meet tomorrow's needs and create a culture of adaptation and resilience for future place leaders. 

Reflections on place leadership

Looking back over my career, I'm most proud of being president of ADEPT! The conversations we’ve had with government Ministers, senior civil servants and the leaders of many other sectors have helped move us forward on our ambition of creating better places. I'm also really pleased with f the progress we have seen over the last couple of decades in moving from being traditionally male-dominated services, it's great not to be the only female in the room! 

My advice to the next generation of place leaders? Be open minded, up for innovation, and challenge ourselves to think differently about how place services facilitate thriving communities. Have bags of perseverance and resilience - you're going to need it, but the rewards are worth it.

Working in place at times can be tough, but what we do really does make a difference to our residents every day. Our founding ADEPT (CSS) members have left us a real legacy, as have the generations of place leaders since and we too will do. You do a fabulous job, so keep on doing it!

As a final reflection, I fell into a career in highways and transport by complete accident, (it wasn't called place then) - I have however, always been thankful this is where I ended up.

Further information

• Read the full collection of essays.
• Find out more about our 140th anniversary here.

Author

• Ann Carruthers, President of ADEPT from 2024 - 2025 and Director of Environment and Transport, Leicestershire County Council