A CARDIFF start-up firm specialising in the design and project management of cycleways and 20mph default zones, has reported accelerated UK-wide success.
Volos was founded in 2021 by Ollie Marsh and Liam Shields, who between them had a combined 30 years experience in highway infrastructure sector working for local authorities.
Mr Marsh worked for Cardiff council including working on active travel projects, including Cycleway 1.2 – a 2 kilometre cycleway which links the city centre to University Hospital of Wales.
Volos is currently working on active travel developments with a combined project value of over £30m. Its projects in Cardiff include the Cathedral Road corridor improvements, as well as improvements to Lawrenny Avenue, the Pennsylvania Estate and the Central North Cardiff 20mph default zone.
It has also recently secured new contracts in the Vale of Glamorgan and outside Wales for local authorities in the south west of England and along the M4 corridor.
Managing director Mr Marsh said: “We are experiencing the biggest transport infrastructure revolution in my career, and arguably since the coming of the motorways.
“In many ways our success in securing active travel projects in England, is down to the experience we have gained working on projects in Wales, and specifically in Cardiff, which is spearheading the active travel revolution with its innovative schemes.”
Volos provides a turnkey service for active travel projects encompassing design, engineering, project management, and quantity surveying.
Mr Shields, who previously worked as a managing quantity surveyor for Faithful + Gould in Swansea, said: “The UK is embracing new active travel schemes in cities at an unprecedented rate, but these fundamental changes to infrastructure such as re-modeling roads with bike lanes create complex challenges from a project point of view.
“So, expertise in designing and managing them is key, which is why our hands-on experience is enabling us to pick up some very exciting contracts.”
Mr Marsh added: “September 17 is a key date for the active travel revolution when the Welsh Government introduces a default 20mph speed limit on ‘restricted roads’ across Wales.
“These are roads that are usually located in busy, built-up residential areas. This date is fast approaching and keeping us very busy, and it is a trend that is quickly spreading across the UK.”
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