Blakedale's History

With over 25 years in the Traffic Management sector, we have a long history from humble beginnings to the ever-growing fleet and road marker post solutions we provide today. 

M62 Lighting

1970

In the early to mid-1970’s, Fred Smith with his recently acquired trenching machine was establishing himself as the “go to” man for digging the problematic trenches required on the network of motorways that were springing up in the Northwest of England.

Blakedale family history with Fred trenching

1980

By the late 1980’s Fred’s company had grown, diversified, and prospered. It was now responsible for the lighting on many of the road and motorway networks in the region.

A small but important part of the business was the manufacture and supply of distance marker posts for those networks.

1999

In 1999, the lighting company was sold to McAlpines. However, the marker post business, now known as Blakedale, was retained and passed on in equal shares to Fred’s four children.

2000

As the new millennium dawned, Fred’s daughter, Carmen was successfully running the small business making marker posts. Although retirement beckoned for Fred, ever the entrepreneur, he noticed that changes in working practices on the motorway networks, driven by health and safety concerns, were leading to a demand within the traffic management industry for a revolutionary safety device known as a ‘crash cushion’ or Impact Protection Vehicle. He speculated that there would be a substantial demand for the supply of such vehicles on a self-drive hire basis.

Blakedale introduces new crash cushion to their fleet of vehicles

2002

It was in 2002, with little fuss or fanfare, that Blakedale purchased its first hire vehicle, a self-drive crash cushion with the appropriate registration of R986 UOK, or “R U OK?” as it affectionately became known.

2005

By 2005, the company had 8 vehicles on its hire fleet, and it was clear that Carmen could no longer run the burgeoning business as a one-woman band. She was therefore joined in the business by her brother Richard, who had been instrumental in the success of the lighting business. Richard had a wealth of experience in the motorway sector and together they brought a modern management approach, whilst maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit of the business imbued by their father.

Innovation, flexibility, attention to detail, and a willingness always to “go the extra mile” set us apart from our competitors, and ensured our vehicles were in constant demand, keeping us at the vanguard of the industry.

M62 Lighting

2015

The last ten years were defined by ambitious expansion plans. By the end of 2015, the fleet numbered almost 200 and the staff numbered 19. The Company had increased its market share, and turnover grew exponentially during this decade. The Blakedale ethos continued to place customers at the centre of its thinking. By always endeavouring to be a ‘people focussed’ business, with the aim of always treating others, both customers and employees, as part of the ‘Blakedale family’ this growth was underpinned by the solid values of integrity and fairness, for which the company is well-known.

2016 - 2021

The last six years have seen continued and unprecedented growth. By the end of the decade the hire fleet had grown to 330 vehicles, with a workforce of 28. 2020 brought the relocation to its current impressive 16,000 sq. ft. premises. The new facilities have enabled Blakedale to roll out its much sought-after build, repair, and maintenance services to 3rd party businesses.

2022

We continued to innovate and grown through the unfortunate pandemic and saw more room from growth through the acquisition by Northgate Vehicle Hire in June 2022.

With a fleet of 332 traffic management vehicles ranging for 3.5 – 18t the acquisition enabled Northgate to grow its share into traffic management while providing Blakedale with the backing for future growth and expansion.

Jon Taylor is appointed as Managing Director, leveraging his experience and specialist skills in the industry to deliver an enhanced customer proposition. Jon has worked within Northgate for over 20 years in senior operational roles.

Blakedale at Traffex conference and exhibition 2011

Ready to get in touch?

Our opening hours are between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.

CFA ISO 9001 Logo
BVRLA Logo