The ILP Debuts GN23
The ILP are proud to announce its new Guidance Note “Understanding the development and requirements of the Design Manual for Roads & Bridges (DMRB) and the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW) 2025. Road Lighting” (GN23 DMRB & MCHW).
The production of this guidance note has kindly been sponsored by National Highways to raise awareness of the updates to the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW) and the associated consequential amendments to relevant Design Manual for Roads & Bridges (DMRB) documents about road lighting.
This new guide came to fruition, thanks to the combined efforts of Stephen Dennis and Jim Gallagher from National Highways and Allan Howard from WSP. The document was reviewed by ILP Technical Manager, Guy Harding and ILP Vice President Technical, Emily Bolt.
The UK’s motorways and all-purpose trunk roads rely heavily on a clear set of high standards that guide how they are designed, maintained and improved. The DMRB and MCHW our two key documents that set out the design needs for the UK’s road network and are an essential part of all construction contracts overseen by National Highways, Transport for Scotland, the Welsh Government and the Department for Infrastructure Northern Ireland.
In terms of the guide’s origins and benefits, WSP Global Lighting Lead and ILP Member, Allan Howard, explained, “At the end of 2025, the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works was updated. The primary driver was an obligation on National Highways set by the Technical Regulations Protocol to align the MCHW with the updated DMRB following the findings from an industry-wide consultation and to reflect current best practice”.
“The age of the documents was growing over the years; with all documents requiring editorial review, technical update or withdrawal. The development is also an opportunity to align with the requirements of the Procurement ACT 2023. This requires a move away from the ‘Most Economically Advantageous Tender’ (MEAT) to the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT), moving away from a focus on lowest cost to performance specification".
“National Highways have supported the development of GN23 to aid the lighting professional in understanding the updated DMRB / MCHW by providing additional guidance on the required processes and considerations when considering a lighting installation, in addition to the support provided on the National Highways Standards for Highways website”.
The MCHW plays a vital role, not only across the UK but also internationally, as many highway authorities and organisations use it to support their own projects. The shift toward modern contract forms, increased digital expectations, and the need for clearer, more consistent wording further highlighted the importance of a new guide.
This MCHW will provide an effective and clear through-line, which better aligns with the updated DMRB. These changes will improve information accessibility across design and construction disciplines.
