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8.1.1 We will work with our partners to co-ordinate the management of our transport networks. We will manage demand and supply with the aim of reducing congestion and improving the quality of the transport provision in Lancashire.
8.1.2 Managing the network
We will ensure the safe and efficient use of the network, taking both a day-to-day and a longer-term view. We will work with partners and stakeholders to reduce the impact of works on the highway. Our partners include the Highways Agency, the Police, District Councils and neighbouring authorities. Stakeholders include all those with a right to use the highway, both travellers and transport operators using all modes of transport, as well as Statutory Undertakers.We will co-ordinate actions on the highway and will enforce the requirements of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991(NRSWA). We will continue to develop the roadworks and streetworks database HINCO and will exercise greater influence over the timing of works, including the use of a permit system. The County Council will set out a plan for network management on local roads and define the role of the Traffic Manager in maintaining the unobstructed flow of traffic.
The County Council will build upon the systems which have already been set up to improve management of the network;
8.1.3 Traffic Enforcement
Traffic enforcement is an essential tool to manage the road network and traffic demand. The County Council will work with partners and stakeholders to develop an integrated traffic enforcement strategy for parking enforcement and control, bus lane enforcement and moving traffic contraventions.The County Council will build upon decriminalised parking enforcement, introduced in 2004 in partnership with the twelve District Councils. The aim of this partnership, called ‘ParkWise’, is not only to enforce parking restriction to improve road safety, traffic flows and journey times and the environment, but also to change attitudes to poor parking. The ParkWisely campaign has delivered the message that good parking matters. The campaign has used a range of media including leaflets, a website and newspaper and radio advertisements, and we will continue and develop these campaigns. To reflect the needs of public and to improve the quality of its service, ParkWise is undertaking a comprehensive user survey to monitor public perceptions of parking enforcement within Lancashire. These surveys will be conducted annually to monitor performance.
The County Council is preparing to introduce bus lane enforcement under the provisions of the Transport Act 2000 to support the County Council's Bus Strategy. The bus lane enforcement will integrate with both traffic enforcement and Intelligent Transport Systems. The Traffic Management Act 2004 will increase the number of highway and traffic infringements that the County Council will be able to enforce. The County Council will adopt these powers when introduced in coordination with the Police to manage the road network more effectively.
8.1.4 Street Works Management
Road works are is essential to maintain the condition of the highway network. We will programme these works so that they minimise delays to road users and inconvenience to local communities.The Traffic Management Act 2004 provides a range of significantly increased penalties to improve the control of Statutory Utilities' street works. These will allow additional enforcement and encourage a greater focus from the Statutory Undertakers. Further enhancements to the Traffic Management Act will be adopted as they are released.
The County Council is preparing a scheme whereby works of a significant scale will only be allowed to go ahead subject to the approval of a detailed permit application. This will allow the Highway Authority to attach specific instructions and requirements to works of a significant scale and duration. This, in conjunction with the required level of co-operation from the undertaker, should then alleviate the levels of disruption relating to the works. The adoption of a permit scheme will improve the Highway Authority's abilities and powers to co-ordinate works, particularly those with the greatest potential to affect the highway network significantly.
8.1.5 Network Management Duty
Lancashire has made significant structural changes in order to respond effectively to the Network Management Duty. The newly created role of Network Manager brings together, for the first time, responsibilities for highway maintenance policy, including streetworks co-ordination, and traffic control systems to create a framework for stewardship that integrates asset and network management. Complementary highway maintenance and network management strategies are being developed that will expand and mature over the period of LTP2 in pursuit of reduced congestion and disruption.Demand management measures have consequences for congestion. The Network Manager will therefore have a consultative role in considering such proposals. The following specific action areas are being developed in direct response to the Network Management Duty.
The County Council's Traffic Manager will bring together all the parties with an interest in the highway network. He will work with partners and stakeholders to ensure the safe and efficient use of the network, taking both a day-to-day and a longer-term view. Partners include the Highways Agency and their civilian Traffic Officers (HATOs), District Councils and neighbouring authorities and transport operators. Stakeholders include all those with a right to use the highway, travellers using all modes of transport, transport operators as well as the Statutory Undertakers. The Traffic Manager will draw up and review strategies to allocate roadspace equitably between modes and to deal with obstructions and incidents on the highway, drawing on the elements already established to manage the network.
Responding to congestion and disruption
The UTMC Common Database Management Facility is used to manage data and share information with stakeholders via data viewers, websites and the media. Variable message signs give information to road users. The Facility uses the following datastreams:
A strategy integration facility is under development that will recommend and implement diversion strategies in response to congestion incidents. UTMC is used to co-ordinate ITS strategies across Lancashire’s cities and major towns using;
Proven and innovative management solutions will include;
Working with stakeholders
Working across boundaries
Developing processes for delivering the Network Management Duty
8.1.6 Emergency Planning
The risk of a major incident in Lancashire is low but by planning and preparing for emergencies we are better equipped to deal with an incident and protect the people and the environment of Lancashire. The Civil Contingencies Act (2004) defines an emergency as;Our role as a Local Authority is to support the emergency services in the case of a major incident. We are on call 24 hours a day and will coordinate the Council's response during a major incident. When the immediate life-threatening period has passed, the Local Authority will play a major role in restoring normality to the community and to the area affected as quickly as possible.
The Traffic Management Act 2004 places a duty upon the Local Traffic Authority to ensure that contingency plans are in place which allow a rapid response to accidents and emergencies and take account of the relative importance of different roads to the various road users.
In this instance, multi-agency contingency plans have been developed and a community risk register is being maintained, with further investigations being undertaken to identify vulnerable, strategic and sensitive parts of the highway network. This work will be used to inform the existing contingency plans and to help assess the implications for the whole transport network including neighbouring authorities’ networks and those routes controlled by the Highways Agency.
In considering arrangements for meeting this duty, we will specifically consider the effects of our actions on the Motorway and Trunk Road network and the measures that could be taken to mitigate any adverse effects. All parties will have to ensure that their arrangements for meeting the traffic management duty are compatible. Printer Friendly Version | About our website | Top of page | Environment Directorate Copyright © 2009, Lancashire County Council | Site Terms What's New | Site Map | (External) Tell us what you think about our site...