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A Government View on Barbara King English Street Works AHAUC / - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
A Government View on Barbara King English Street Works AHAUC / - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
A Government View on Barbara King English Street Works AHAUC / LHAUC Conference Understanding your Environment 12th May 2015 What I am going to talk about today. Street works in context; Some of what has happened during the
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‘In 2013, the Department’s Vision…. ‘……is for a transport system that is an engine for economic growth, but one that is also greener and safer and improves quality of life in our communities.’
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Last Government Priorities were….
- The economy
- Reducing disruption
- Reducing burdens
- Reducing occupancy
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What we expect about what the Future Holds…
- By 2040, we forecast population will increase by
10 million in England.
- Road traffic will increase by over 40 per cent.
- Emphasis on reducing disruption increases.
- Intelligent Transport Systems
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Last 5 Years Priorities for Street Works
- Safety
- Economic value
- Reducing congestion
- Supporting national
infrastructure.
- Maintaining road quality.
- Quality
- Parity for authority and
utility works.
- Impact on the environment.
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What happened in the last Parliament?
- The ‘Red Tape Challenge’ and ‘one-in, two-out’.
- The first permit schemes came into operation January 2010.
- Legislation removed the Secretary of State approval, and
introduced changes to improve operation and consistency.
- 2 Lane Rental pioneer schemes were introduced (TfL and Kent).
- Over-run charges increased in 2012.
- A new UK-wide Safety Code published and brought into force.
- Series of new Traffic Advisory leaflets reflecting the DfT / TRL / TfL
reducing congestion project.
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Permit Schemes – next Steps
- The Infrastructure Act received Royal Assent February – makes
Permit Schemes available to the new ‘Highways England.’
- The Deregulation Bill received Royal Assent removing the
Secretary of State from the approval process.
- Permit Scheme Amendment regulations were laid on Parliament’s
last day and require all that schemes comply by 1st October.
- 85 English highway authorities now operate a permit scheme.
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Lane Rental
- Lane rental pioneers:
– London started in June 2012. – Kent started May 2013.
- Pioneer schemes’ early stage evaluations completed.
- Early signs of changing behaviours is positive.
- Ministers asked for further information –
evaluation study underway – utilities’ contributions will be vital.
- Future decision for new Ministers.
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Safety at Street Works and Road Works
- Revised UK-wide Safety
Code published October 2013;
- Into force October 2014;
- In England now applies
to road as well as street works.
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The Safety Code
- Emphasis on risk assessment
and site-specific approaches;
- Encourages better working
practices to improve safety. The new Safety Code in action:
- Using basic layout with risk
assessment to suit circumstances.
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Reducing Congestion Project
Seven new Traffic Advisory Leaflets on reducing congestion at road works 2/14 Using the Core and Vac technique 3/14 Using hydraulically bound mixtures 4/14 Using cementitious mixtures 5/14 Using temporary backfill 6/14 Using road plates 7/14 Mapping underground assets 8/14 Implementing extended working hours
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Continuing work streams….
Subject to Ministerial agreement, we will working with HAUC to:
- review regulations and processes for Street Works qualifications.
- make revisions to the Specification for the Reinstatement of
Openings in the Highway (SROH).
- develop statutory guidance for inspections and investigatory works.
Also:
- Continuing interest in innovation.
- Working towards better sector data.
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