Man who helps keep everyone on the right road

As a father of cricketing sons, a place in the growing legion of fans who voyage around the world to cheer on England sounds the perfect way to relax.

For now, however, his focus isn’t upon potential hotels to bed down for a few nights while Alastair Cook’s Test side continues its growth, nor upon the travel costs associated with following the one-day team’s resurgence.

It is, in fact, about other people’s trips; more specifically motorists on the roads of the North-East.

Mr Schofield is general manager at A-One+, the Darlington-based business known for managing and maintaining trunk roads and motorways as contractor for Highways England.

The company, a joint venture between three organisations; Colas, CH2M Hill and Costain, covers all trunk roads and the A1M, from Dishforth right up to Berwick, as well as the A66 between the Cumbrian border and Teesside and the A19 north of Newcastle.

Allied to further Highways England contracts, which include the M1 and M62 under its Yorkshire and the Humber remit, the east Midlands, and Maidstone and Guildford in the South, the business’ standing stretches far and wide.

The company, previously known as A-One before Costain joined its operations, was founded in the North-East, and Mr Schofield, who spent years at Highways England, said it remains proud of its roots.

He said: “A-One+ was born here; this is where it started.

“The company started in the North-East and this is still its head office.

“We carry out multi-million pound improvements and resurfacing schemes, improve roads, clear gullies, pick litter up and cut grass.

“We maintain roads to make sure it is as safe as possible for people to go to work and come home and carry out their day-to-day business.

“We also have to make sure our staff, many of whom work at night, are safe and can go to and from work safely too.

“For all my life I’ve worked on network management, but for the last eight years, I’ve managed the trunk road network in the North-East.

“I suppose I’m the gamekeeper turned poacher (from my Highways England days), but I know the area extremely well and have a real love for the area.”

The business has depots across the region, in Kneeton, near Melsonby, North Yorkshire, Bradbury, near Sedgefield, County Durham, Carrville, near Durham City, and Alnwick, Northumberland, which helps it carry out work.

But those roadworks are renowned for bringing out the worst in some drivers, who cannot wait to unleash their fury on staff if their journey is interrupted.

How does the business deal with peoples’ red mist when the cones come out and the diversions come in?

The answer, says Mr Schofield, is simple.

An honest policy, coupled with strong planning and a commitment to keep your word, goes a long way.

“It’s all about a balance”, he said, gesturing the motions of a set of scales with his hands.

“We work extremely closely with Highways England and one of our key aims is to improve customer service.

“If you are going to do something, and tell people you are going to do something, you have got to do it.

“If you tell people a scheme will be done on Monday, it has to be done on Monday.

“It is like a two-way contract; we look to communicate what we are doing, minimise the disruption and keep our promises.

“We have got to do the work and keep traffic moving, that’s why we do most of the work at night.

“I have to say, however, that I find people in the North-East are not habitual complainers; they appreciate the work has to be done.”

But Mr Schofield says there is one thing drivers in the region could do to make his role a little easier.

He added: “One of my biggest bug bears is that I have to send guys out on trunk roads to pick up peoples’ mess.

“Why should I put men in an environment they shouldn’t have to be in, to pick up litter?

“If there is one part of the job that annoys me, it is that.”