Learn new ways to tackle familiar highways challenges – Highways UK 2026 recap
Oliver Revolta, Researcher & Copywriter
Highways UK 2026 (14−15 October, NEC Birmingham) gave the Re‑flow team an opportunity to catch up with existing customers, meet new faces, and demonstrate some new additions to our field management software.
These features included DEFRA‑compliant waste tracking, DVLA vehicle data integration, stock tracking, and PAS 2080 carbon reporting.
We also held support sessions for current clients and featured on the show agenda with our talk, ‘Carbon compliance by design: Embedding data into operational workflows’.
DEFRA-compliant waste tracking moves up the agenda
Several contractors spoke to us about the amount of manual work involved in gathering information and submitting records to meet DEFRA waste tracking requirements. A lot of businesses across the sector are still relying on a mixture of paper records, spreadsheets, and separate systems to manage the process.
We were happy to demonstrate a new Re-flow addition, which allows for information captured through site forms to be automatically transferred directly into DEFRA processes through our new connector, helping contractors remove manual handovers and reduce duplicate data entry.
The new DVLA connector: a simple feature solving a common problem
For many highways businesses, keeping vehicle records up to date still involves regular manual checks and administration. At the show, we were happy to present Re‑flow’s DVLA integration, which automatically retrieves information including MOT and tax details directly from the DVLA when a vehicle registration is entered on the system.
It’s a capability that resonated with visitors thanks to its automation of a repetitive manual task.
Better information from the people doing the work
Longer-term clients will already be familiar, but visitors to the stand also responded positively to Re‑flow’s configurable forms.
When data capture is so critical for compliance, safety, quality control, avoiding disputes, and long-term planning, ideally site information would come back to the office complete the first time – and without chasing. We demonstrated how Re‑flow forms guide operatives through the exact questions, photos, and records required for a task while also being more intuitive and quicker to complete – and how they upload to the office once they’re submitted.
Qualifications management was another common discussion point, with many contractors still managing workforce records across spreadsheets, folders, and multiple systems. They were interested to hear how Re‑flow can create a single, centralised record for all their assets – for qualifications and beyond.
Preparing for PAS 2080
Beyond operational processes, PAS 2080 was one of the most discussed topics across the event.
Many visitors were interested in understanding how they can prepare for future carbon management requirements and what practical steps they can take now. Re‑flow’s PAS 2080 module lets businesses estimate carbon from quotes, track emissions as work progresses, and report on individual jobs or defined periods of longer contracts. This is a paid add on that incorporates carbon reporting into our clients’ workflows within the flow of the work they already do.
That interest continued during the talk ‘Carbon compliance by design: Embedding data into operational workflows’, a session delivered by Hannah Bradley, Re‑flow product manager and carbon lead, and Richard Smith, carbon measurement and reduction specialist at Auditel. They shared updates on PAS 2080 and examples of how businesses are adapting, in line with our webinar on the topic earlier in the year (which is still available to watch).
Understand what carbon-ready businesses are doing differently
Hear from PAS 2080 specialist Richard Smith on what contractors are being asked for, where requirements are heading, and how to prepare before they affect your next tender.
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