Council and democracy

Agenda item

Congestion Task Force Update (including Highways Permitting Proposal)

Minutes:

The Officer presented the report and provided members with an overview of the task force work programme which provided explicit detail on a proposal to migrate from a highways noticing regime to a highways permitting scheme.

 

The Officer stated that the initial focus of the Congestion Task Force Group had been the improvement of the measures to mitigate the impact of incidents on the M25 and Dartford Crossing on local traffic in Thurrock. As a cross party agenda for Thurrock and with active support from all Members an overview of the work programme was to improve the free flow of traffic across local and strategic networks and to work to ensure the future proofing of the network to accommodate future growth.

 

The Officer explained the Permit Scheme to members which highlighted the following:

 

           Provide an alternative method to the Noticing System of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.

           Permit Schemes are enacted under the Traffic Management Act 2004.

           Highways Authorities must assign permission to, rather than being told where and when statutory undertakers are going to work.

           Permit Schemes are intended to enable more effective co-ordination.

           The objectives of the Permit Schemes are to ensure safety, minimise inconvenience to residents and to protect the structure of the street and the integrity of the apparatus in it.

 

The following benefits of a Permit Scheme would be:

 

           Better control of timings of work

           Enhanced planning and visibility of works on the network

           Increased collaboration with those affected by traffic management

           Improved information and awareness about works on the highway

 

The Chair stated that it was common sense that the Permit Scheme be implemented. The Chair’s only concern was there sufficient resource to monitor and police the scheme and would sanctions or punishments be put in place. The Officer confirmed that Traffic Management Act 2004 still had certain activities to fulfil and would be sponsored by the annual budget.  Any increase in costs would be paid by the permit scheme although it was not the intention to generate income.

 

Councillor Allen asked Officers if the scheme would be managed by road traffic management teams. The Officer confirmed that inspectors who are credited and suitably qualified will undertake the inspections.

 

Councillor Smith asked Officers whether it would be insisted that works would be carried out overnight. The Officer stated that yes to an extent but environment issues would have an impact and consideration would need to be given on the activities to be undertaken.

 

A lengthy discussion between Members and Officers took place on the introduction of yellow box junction markings at Junction 31 to deter motorists contributing to gridlocks in that area. The Officer concluded that these markings were essential to help motorists and to encourage them to behave more responsibly.

 

RESOLVED

 

Considers the contents of this report and provide comments on the Congestion Task Form work programme, and specifically on the proposal to introduce a Highways Permit Scheme in Thurrock as set out in paragraphs 3.5 to 3.13.

Supporting documents: