VIJAY MANRO

Senior Civil Engineer | Highway & Traffic Management Professional | Local Government Leader

Senior Civil Engineer and Highway & Traffic Management Professional with more than 40 years’ experience delivering highway, transportation, traffic management, and infrastructure projects for local authorities and major contractors across the United Kingdom. Extensive expertise in highway asset management, traffic regulation orders, street works coordination, network management, S278 and S106 agreements, contract administration, enforcement, and public liability investigations. Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage complex operational services, and deliver practical, cost-effective solutions that improve network performance, safety, and customer service. Combines substantial technical and operational experience with strong public sector leadership gained through service as a Swindon Borough Councillor, Chair of Licensing and Appeals, former Scrutiny Committee Chair, and a Magistrate with over 29 years’ judicial experience. Recognised for professionalism, sound judgement, integrity, stakeholder management, and the ability to work effectively at both strategic and operational levels.

38 The Dormers, Highworth, Swindon, SN6 7NZ
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Skills
Work Experience
Graduate / Assistant Civil Engineer
Avon County Council
Apr 1982 — Nov 1988
  • Designed horizontal and vertical alignment for Avon Ring Road
  • Conducted traffic modelling for signalised junctions and roundabouts
  • Performed site supervision and non-destructive structural inspections on Severn Bridge
Senior Civil Engineer
Isle of Wight County Council
Jun 1988 — Nov 1990
  • Delivered highway engineering and infrastructure projects across the Island’s highway network
Highways Maintenance Team Leader
Norwich City Council
Nov 1990 — Feb 2002
  • Led highway maintenance and infrastructure improvement schemes under BSI-accredited Quality Assurance
  • Delivered projects like Norwich Castle Mall and Norwich City Football Club stadium extension
  • Managed major S38 and S278 highway works and traffic signal junction upgrades
Highways Operation Manager
Swindon Borough Council
Feb 2002 — Jul 2003
  • Managed operational teams for Street Works, Traffic Management, Traffic Orders, and Street Naming/Numbering
  • Delivered highway operations and statutory network management duties
Street Works / Contract Manager
Buckinghamshire County Council
Jul 2003 — Nov 2007
  • Managed annual highway maintenance and surfacing contracts
  • Coordinated utility works to minimise network disruption
  • Procured contractors and monitored performance
Highways / Traffic Network Manager
Southampton City Council
Nov 2007 — Oct 2010
  • Managed four specialist teams for Traffic Regulation Orders, Street Works, Traffic Signals, and Highway Asset Management
  • Delivered major projects including IKEA Southampton development and WestQuay Shopping Centre extension
  • Implemented Traffic Management Plans for cruise liner traffic and congestion mitigation
Highways Network Manager
Balfour Beatty
Oct 2010 — Feb 2015
  • Reduced third-party highway claims by approximately £300,000 over three years
  • Developed Traffic Management Plans for Southampton City Council
  • Managed highway enforcement, parking operations, and network coordination
  • Led multidisciplinary operational and engineering teams
Assistant Site Supervisor
Kier Highways Services
Feb 2015 — Dec 2015
  • Supervised construction activities on M3 Junction 6 Improvement Scheme (£13 million)
  • Audited contractor quality management systems
  • Reviewed design compliance and technical standards
  • Ensured traffic management arrangements were safely maintained
Highway Claims & Enforcement Manager
Costain / CH2M (East Sussex Highways)
Feb 2016 — Jul 2019
  • Managed public liability claims and enforcement for East Sussex County Council
  • Investigated highway-related claims and incidents
  • Prepared legal evidence and witness statements
  • Represented authority in County Court proceedings
  • Advised teams on Highways Act 1980 and Traffic Management Act 2004 compliance
Interim Traffic / Network Manager
Isle of Wight Council
Aug 2019 — Mar 2020
  • Led highway network and traffic management operations
  • Managed Temporary and Permanent Traffic Regulation Orders
  • Developed guidance for S38 highway adoption and S37/S278 agreements
  • Coordinated network operations to minimise congestion and disruption
  • Led enforcement actions on highway obstructions and traffic management issues
Elected Borough Councillor
Swindon Borough Council
May 2021 — PresentCurrent
  • Elected to represent the Blunsdon and Highworth Ward
  • Chaired Licensing and Appeals Committee
  • Served on Planning, Audit, Standards, Education Transport Appeals, Wiltshire Pension Fund, and Police and Crime Commissioner panels
  • Former Chair of Scrutiny Committee on council services and governance
Skills
Highway Engineering & Network ManagementHighway design and maintenanceTraffic management and network coordinationTraffic Regulation Orders (TROs)Street works and utility coordination (NRSWA)Highway asset managementS38, S37, S278, and S106 agreementsWinter maintenance and street lighting operationsEnvironmental and highway safety managementLeadership & Professional SkillsStrategic and operational managementTeam leadership and staff developmentContract and performance managementTechnical report writing and compliance auditingProject and programme deliveryStakeholder engagement and negotiationEnforcement and litigation supportService improvement and policy development
Education
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering
Bolton Institute of Technology
1976 — 1980
Ordinary National Diploma (OND), Technology
Bath Technical College
1973 — 1975
GCSE-equivalent qualifications
Jinja Senior Secondary School, Uganda
1965 — 1969
Professional Membership
Member of the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (MCIHT)
Additional Information
Full UK Driving Licence
Eligible to work in the United Kingdom
Extensive experience working with local authorities, contractors, utility companies, legal teams, elected members, and community stakeholders
Strong commitment to public service, professional integrity, highway safety, and continuous service improvement