Balfour Beatty hosted an MP drop-in event in Westminster on Tuesday (1 July) to raise awareness and tackle abuse against road workers.
Frontline road workers shared their first-hand experiences with MPs at the event, including verbal threats, physical assaults, and even being targeted by vehicles.
Every day, three Balfour Beatty road workers report incidents of abuse.
Amit Soorajbally, Balfour Beatty’s section engineer on the A63 project, said: “You’re just trying to do your job and get home safe, but some people treat us like we’re in their way or less than human.
“I’ve had abuse shouted at me, things thrown from car windows, and in one case, someone actually tried to drive at me. It takes a toll – not just physically, but mentally too. This can’t go on. We urgently need stronger protections, tougher consequences for offenders, and real public awareness to tackle this issue before someone else gets seriously hurt.”
At the event, which was supported by Labour MP for Shrewsbury Julia Buckley, policymakers and the industry were urged to take action through stronger legal protections, clearer public messaging and enforcement against offenders.
It also sought to include respect for road workers in national road safety education.
The government is currently working on a new road safety strategy, the first in over a decade, to reduce antisocial behaviour, injuries and deaths on the country’s roads.
‘No one should face threats’
Lee Hewitt, UK health, safety, environment and sustainability director at Balfour Beatty, said: “No one should face threats, intimidation or violence simply for doing their job: but this is the reality for far too many of our road workers every day. At Balfour Beatty, we are committed to standing up for our people, raising awareness, and pushing for meaningful change. As the government shapes its road safety strategy, this is the moment to act. Abuse of road workers must end.”
Julia Buckley MP said: “I’m sponsoring this event to stand up for road workers – the unsung heroes of our transport system who keep our roads safe, open, and connected. It’s completely unacceptable that they face daily abuse simply for doing their jobs. Balfour Beatty and others in the sector are taking action, but they can’t do it alone. We need to back them with stronger protections and send a clear message: this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
