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Less frequent digging up of roads promised

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling unveiled radical congestion-busting measures on Friday when the Traffic Management Bill was published.

Measures in the Bill include giving councils new powers to manage when and where street works are carried out, so putting to an end to congestion caused by poorly planned and lengthy works.

The new powers will enable councils to fine utilities for poor workmanship and also to co-ordinate repairs to avoid frequent re-working of a particular stretch of road.

Councils will be able to specify which route road works should follow and decide what day of the week and at what times works can be carried out.

Other proposals included in the Bill include:

• Uniformed 'jam buster' patrols taking over responsibility from the police for getting traffic moving after road incidents or breakdowns.
• Each local authority appointing a Traffic Manager responsible for keeping traffic moving.
• Councils to be given new powers to prevent roads from being dug up repeatedly by banning works on a particular road until a specified date. Any utility company wanting to carry out street works will be required to apply for a permit to do so.
• Utility companies failing to repair a road properly will face fines of up to £5,000 and be required to rectify previous poor work.
• Local authorities taking over certain traffic enforcement roles from the police, such as enforcing box junction rules.
• In London, Transport for London will co-ordinate traffic management between boroughs and other traffic authorities. The Bill will allow for the operation of a single London-wide permit scheme covering all types of works in the street.

Announcing the legislation, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said:

"The Traffic Management Bill will give the Highways Agency and councils powers and a duty to keep roads clear and traffic moving. They will now have to focus more sharply on tackling causes of congestion and disruption.”

"The Highways Agency will get powers to manage motorway incidents which will mean motorists caught in traffic due to road accidents or obstructions should benefit from a more targeted and faster clear-up response.”

"Traffic Officers will be on scene following road incidents to work with police to clear the road as quickly as possible. These new powers, as well as new traffic enforcement provisions for councils will also free up police time, allowing them to concentrate on their other priorities."