Worcestershire County Council

The Worcestershire Network Management Plan

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Contents1. Introduction 3

1.1 Background 3

1.2 AimsandObjectives 3

1.3 WhatistheNetworkManagementDuty,andhowdoesitaffectWorcestershireCountyCouncil’sservicedeliveryapproachinthisarea? 7

2. What is Congestion, and How do we Tackle it? 8

2.1 Introduction 8

2.2 PhysicalCapacityConstraint 8

2.3 On-StreetParking 8

2.4 Incidents 8

2.5 RoadWorks 9

3. The Network Management Toolkit 10

3.1 Introduction 10

4. Network Definition and Management 11

4.1 Introduction 11

4.2 PrimaryRouteNetwork(PRN) 12

4.3 PlannedWorks 14

4.4 Co-ordinationandImprovementMeetings 14

4.5 Events 15

4.6 InformationonStreetWorks 16

4.7 StrategicParkingPolicyandModalHierarchies 17

4.8 IncidentManagementandContingencyPlanning 21

4.9 Flooding 23

4.10 WinterMaintenance 23

4.11 WholeAuthorityApproach 25

4.12 GovernmentAgencies 25

4.13 StakeholderManagement 26

4.14 CrossBoundaryEngagement 26

4.15 EnsuringFairnessandStandardisationofPractice 27

4.16 ManagementofFreightMovements 27

4.17 PartnershipWorkingforFreight 27

4.18 MonitoringFreightMovements 28

4.19 RoadFreightParkingandLayoverFacilities 29

5. Transport Telematics (Technology) 30

5.1 Introduction 30

5.2 GatheringandDisseminatingTravelInformation 30

5.3 IdentifyingCongestionHotspots 30

5.4 IntelligentTransportSystems 31

6. Travel Choices 32

6.1 IntroductiontoTravelChoices 32

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Introduction

1.1 Background

DemandtotravelcontinuestoriseacrossWorcestershire,focussedparticularlyinthecounty’surbanareas.Worcestershire’stransportnetworksperformavitalmultifunctionalrolebysupportinglocaleconomicactivityandgrowthandconnectingcommunities.Theeffectivemanagementofthesenetworksisessentialtoensurethesafeandefficientmovementofpeopleandgoods,whilstlimitingnegativeimpactsonthelocalenvironment,suchaspollutionandcommunityseverance.

ThepoliciesincludedwithinWorcestershire’sNetworkManagementPlan(NMP)providethestrategicmanagementframeworkbywhichWorcestershireCountyCouncilwillseektomanageourhighwaynetwork.

1.2 Aims and Objectives

TheoverarchingaimandobjectivesoftheWorcestershireNetworkManagementPlanare:

“ToachievethemostefficientuseofWorcestershire’stransportnetworkassetstodeliverconsistentlyreliablejourneytimes,reduceddirectandindirectcostsandimprovedroadsafety.”

TheDepartmentforTransport’sNetworkManagementDutyGuidancespecificallyrequiresthatthisdocumentmustbeconsistentwithallrelevantlegislationandnationalandlocalpoliciesandguidance.ThekeyobjectivesoftheNetworkManagementPlanremainthoseoftheWorcestershireLocalTransportPlanandhavebeendevelopedspecificallytoreflectnationalandlocalpolicy,asoutlinedinTable1.1.

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Table1.1–TheWorcestershireNetworkManagementPlan,AndHowItWillDeliverAgainstTheWorcestershireLocalTransportPlanObjectives

Local Transport Plan Objectives

How The Worcestershire Network Management Plan Can Deliver Against These Objectives

TosupportWorcestershire’seconomiccompetitivenessandgrowththroughdeliveringasafe,reliableandefficienttransportnetwork.

The Economic Objective

Thecostofcongestiontothenationalandlocaleconomyisamajorconcern,withaccesstoanefficientstrategictransportnetworkakeypriorityforbusinessandadeterminingfactorinthedecisiontorelocateintoorexpandinWorcestershire.

TheNetworkManagementPlanaimstoensurethatcongestionisnotabarriertoeconomicdevelopmentbymanagingdemandandmaintainingandimprovingtrafficflowonkeytransportcorridors.Byworkingwithbusinesses,thePlanwillaimtomaximisetheefficientmovementofgoods,provideenhancedtravelchoicestoaccessworkplacesandfullysupportthelanduseplanningprocesstoensurefuturedevelopmentisaccessiblebyarangeoftransportmodes,andthattheeffectsontrafficcongestionaremitigatedwhereverpossible.

TheNMPwillstrivetoimprovenetworkefficiencyandthereliabilityofjourneytimesandcostsby:

• Networkoptimisationthroughtrafficdemandmanagement,investmentinIntelligentTransportSystemsandpolicieswhichsupportrouteplanningandtheimplementationofaclearnetworkhierarchy;

• Co-ordinatinghighwayworksandeventplanning;

• PreparingandimplementingIncidentManagementandContingencyPlans;

• Theprovisionofinfrastructureandpromotionofalternativetravelchoices(particularlywalkingandcycling);

• Continuedliaisonwithemergencyservices,neighbouringLocalTransportAuthorities,Borough,CityandDistrictCouncilsandfreightandpassengertransportoperators.

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Table1.1continued…

Local Transport Plan Objectives

How The Worcestershire Network Management Plan Can Deliver Against These Objectives

TolimittheimpactsoftransportinWorcestershireonthelocalenvironment,bysupportingenhancementstothenaturalenvironmentandbiodiversity,investingintransportinfrastructuretoreducefloodriskandotherenvironmentaldamage,andreducingtransport-relatedemissionsofnitrogendioxide,particulatematter,greenhousegasesandnoisepollution.Thiswillsupportdeliveryofthedesiredoutcomesoftacklingclimatechangeandreducingtheimpactsoftransportonpublichealth.

The Environmental Objective

Increasingvehiculartrafficgrowth,longerjourneytimes,increasingcongestionandpeakhourspreadmayresultinharmfulenvironmentaldeteriorationasaresultoftransport-relatedpollution.

TheNetworkManagementPlanaimstoimprovethesafetyandefficiencyofthetransportnetworkbyimprovinginfrastructureandpromotingtravelchoices.

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillworkcloselywithWorcestershireRegulatoryServicesinthedevelopmentanddeliveryoftheWorcestershireAirQualityActionPlan,withtheoverarchingaimtoimproveambientairqualitythroughfocussedinterventions.

Tocontributetowardsbettersafety,security,healthandlongerlifeexpectancyinWorcestershire,byreducingtheriskofdeath,injuryorillnessarisingfromtransportandpromotinghealthymodesoftravel.

The Health and Safety Objective

TheNMPmeasureswillworktoreduceroadtrafficaccidents,promoteandincreaseactivetravelandenhancecommunitysafetyandsecurityby:

• Ongoinginspectionofroadworkstoimproveroadsafety;

• Contingencyplanningforemergencies,incidentsandbadweatherthateffectstravelwithinthecounty;

• Increasingwalkingandcyclinglevels;

• Providingrealtimeinformationtogiveearlywarningofhazardsorissuesrelatingtothehighway.

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Table1.1continued…

Local Transport Plan Objectives

How The Worcestershire Network Management Plan Can Deliver Against These Objectives

TooptimiseequalityofopportunityforallofWorcestershire’scitizenswiththedesiredoutcomeofcreatingafairersociety.

The Equality Objective

TheNMPaimstoimproveaccesstotheworkplace,education,localfacilitiesandserviceswhilstimprovingroadsafetyformotorists,vulnerableroadusersandpedestrians.

TheNMPwillensuretheprovisionofadvancedinformationofplannedworksoreventsandrealtimeinformationtogiveearlywarningofhazardsorissuesrelatingtothehighway.

TheNMPwillhelptoensurethatchildrenandyoungpeoplearesupportedingainingaccesstoeducation,trainingandemployment.

AkeyobjectiveoftheNMPistoensurethatthesamestandards,approachesandprioritiesareappliedtoallactivitiesonthenetwork.

ToenhancethequalityoflifeforWorcestershire’sresidentsbypromotingahealthy,naturalenvironment,forpeople,wildlifeandhabitats,conservingourhistoricbuiltenvironmentandpreservingourheritageassets.

The Quality of Life Objective

TheNMPaimstohelpprotectthenaturalandhistoricenvironmentwithinourcounty,byreducingtheadverseeffectsassociatedwithcongestion.ThiswillenhancetheoverallqualityoflifeandphysicalenvironmentinWorcestershire.Advanceandrealtimeinformationenablesgreaterjourneyplanningandimprovesqualityoflifebymaximisingtravelchoicesandcanincreasetheuseofactivetravel.

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ThetargetaudienceforthisPlanincludesawiderangeofstakeholders,consistingofCouncillors,transportnetworkusersacrossallmodesoftransport,thevoluntarysector,theDepartmentforTransport,localauthoritypartners,passengertransportusersandoperators,HighwaysEnglandandregulatorybodies.Tobethoroughandrobust,thispolicydocumentbynecessitycoversawiderangeofoftentechnicalissues.Theleveloftechnicaldetailisnecessarytoensurethedocumentispreciseandunambiguous.

1.3 What is the Network Management Duty, and how does it affect Worcestershire County Council’s service delivery approach in this area?

TheNetworkManagementAct(2004)requiresLocalTransportAuthoritiestoappointadesignatedTrafficManagerwhoisresponsibleforthedeliveryoftheNetworkManagementPlan.ContactdetailsforthecurrentdesignatedTrafficManagerareavailableonline.

WorcestershireCountyCouncilisanactivememberoftheWestMidlands,ShiresandUnitariesTrafficManagementForum.ThevisionoftheForumisto:

‘ContinuetoimprovedeliveryoftheNetworkManagementDutythroughcross-boundaryworkingandusingbestpracticeprinciples,therebyenablingconsistency,efficiencyandeffectiveness’.

Astraveldemandincreases,sodoescongestioninareasofthenetworkwithmorelimitedcapacity,typicallyinconstrainedcentralbusinessdistrictsinurbancentresandatjunctions.

LocalTransportAuthoritiesincreasinglyseektomakebetteruseoftheirexistingassets,byadoptingpoliciesthatimprovetrafficflowsuchas:

• Technologicalinnovation;

• Junctionimprovements;

• Encouraginguseofalternativemodesoftransport.

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2. WhatisCongestion,andHowdoweTackleit?

2.1 Introduction

Putsimply,trafficcongestionoccurswherethelevelofdemandtousepartofagiventransportnetworkexceedsitsavailablecapacity.Therearenumerousfactorswhichcancausecapacityconstraintandsubsequentcongestion.Thefollowingsectionsexploreeachofthesecausesindetail,andsetoutthepoliciesbywhichWorcestershireCountyCouncilwillseektominimisetheireffectsonnetworkefficiency.

2.2 Physical Capacity Constraint

Aswithotherpartsofthecountry,thereareseveralareasinWorcestershire,mainlytheurbancentres,wherecongestionisexperiencedduringthemorningandeveningpeak.Thisisnormallybecausethesepartsofthenetworkareinnarrow,historicstreetswhichhaveevolvedforusebytraffic,ratherthanbeingdesignedforthispurpose.Capacityissuesaccountfor65%ofcongestioninthecounty,withthemainfocusbeingWorcesterCityCentre.

Themainfocustotacklecongestionintheseareaswillbetointroducethelatesttechnologicalmeasuresandjunctionimprovementstoimprovetrafficflowandbyencouraginguseofalternativemodesoftransport.

2.3 On-Street Parking

Insomeareas,on-streetparkingcanresultinsignificantcapacityconstraint.Wherethisisthecase,theCountyCouncilwillactbyimposingmeasurestomaintaintrafficflow,suchasparkingrestrictionsorredesignofthehighway.

2.4 Incidents

Congestioncanbecausedbyadverseweather,collisions,eventsorothertemporaryoccurrenceswhicheffectivelyblockthehighway.Theeffectofincidentsaccountsforapproximately25%ofcongestionexperiencedacrossWorcestershire’stransportnetworks.TheCountyCouncilseekstominimisetheseimpactsthroughthefollowingmeasures:

• PublicInformationdisseminationthroughavarietyofmedia(Internet,Apps,SocialMediaandVariableMessagingSigns);

• Contingencyandoperationplansforextremeweatherconditions.Theseinclude:

– WinterMaintenancePlan

– Operationplansforfloodingandhighwinds

• Eventmanagementtoco-ordinateeffectivelyinadvance;

• EmergencyContactarrangementstodealwithincidents;

• Immediatecontractorresponseunittoremoveanyobstructionorrepairanyhighwaydefect;

• TrafficManagementtodiverttrafficfromproblemarea;

• Liaisonwithexternalpartiessuchasthepoliceandutilitiestoreduceandmonitoreffect.

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2.5 Road Works

Weunderstandthatroadworkscauseconcern,howevertheyonlyaccountfor10%ofcongestionissuesandareoftenunavoidable.Inthepublicview,theseareeasilythemostirritatingasitnotalwayspossibleforuserstofactorintheimpactsonjourneytimes.Roadworksarelikelytobecausedbynewdevelopments,infrastructureadditions,changesorfaults,utilityworksanddrainagematters.AsamemberoftheWestandShiresPermit(WASP)scheme,thosewishingtocarryoutworksonthehighwayforroadworksinWorcestershireneedtoapplyforapermit,tominimisedelaytoroadusers.

Legislationhasincreasedthenoticeperiodforworks,whichhascontributedtowardsimprovedoveralltrafficmanagement.ThisisanareaWorcestershirehasfocussedontoensurethatallworksonthehighwaylikelytocausecongestionareincludedintheco-ordinationprocessesandassociatedreductionmeasures.Thepermitsysteminvolves:

• Regularmeetingsofallworkspromoters;

• Controlandco-ordinationofallusesofthehighway;

• Jointworkingbetweendifferentparties;

• Limitedworkingatpeaktimes,asappropriate;

• Minimumlengthsofcarriagewayworkingonkeyroutes;

• Appropriatetrafficmanagementensuringdiversionroutesfreefromroadworks,asappropriate;

• Pursuanceofalternativeworkingmethodstoreducecarriagewayoccupationrequirements;

• Noroadworksonhightrafficdensityroutesduringeventsorextremelybusyperiods;

• PublicInformationdisseminationthroughthemedia,letterandsignageincludingVariableMessagingSignsandRealTimeInformationSystems.

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3. TheNetworkManagementToolkit3.1 Introduction

Inlinewiththeobjectivesidentifiedabove,theDfTNetworkManagementDutyGuidancesetsoutspecificcriteriathatalocalhighwayauthorityNMPwillneedtoincorporate:

• Considertheneedsofallroadusers,includingstatutoryundertakersandallmodesoftravel;

• Co-ordinateandplanhighwayworksandknownevents;

• Gatherhighwaynetworkinformation,analyseandinformallstakeholders;

• Developcontingencyplansandincidentmanagementplans;

• Mitigatetrafficgrowth;

• Liaiseandconsultwithallstakeholders;

• Ensureparitybetweenallundertakersofworksonthehighway;

• Monitorandreview.

Thefollowingsectionsofthisplanhighlightthecoreoftheauthorities’issues,actionsandperformanceinrelationtoimplementingtheNetworkManagementDuty.

Inordertomaximiseuseofthenetworkforallusersthroughreducedcongestion,Worcestershirewillpursuethefollowinginterventionalmeasures:

• NetworkDefinitionandManagement–Partnershipworkingwithawiderangeofrelevantorganisationstoimprovenetworkefficiency.Implementationofanetworkhierarchy,underpinnedbyarobustfreightmanagementapproachtosupporttheefficientmovementoffreightaroundWorcestershire;

• TransportTelematics(Technology)–Harnessingthesignificantopportunitiesofferedbytransporttelematics(technology)tosupportmoreefficientmanagementoftransportnetworks,enablemoreefficientmonitoringandmanagementoftravelnetworks,aswellaspromotingincreasedtravelchoice;

• TravelChoices–Acomprehensivetravelchoicesprogramme,tosupportincreaseduseofwalking,cycling,carsharingandpassengertransporttomakemoreefficientuseofexistinghighwaycapacity.

• CapacityEnhancement–Wewillaimtofundanddelivercapacityenhancementsatkeypinchpointstosupportdevelopmentgrowth,addresspoorairqualityissuesandtacklecongestion.

ThefollowingsectionssetoutWorcestershireCountyCouncil’spoliciesineachofthesesubjectareas,whichcollectivelywillenableandsupporttheauthority’sdesignatedTrafficManagertoimplementthestatutoryNetworkManagementDutiesasoutlinedintheTrafficManagementAct(2004)inWorcestershire.

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4. NetworkDefinitionandManagement4.1 Introduction

TheNetworkManagementDutyrequiresauthoritiesto“determinespecificpoliciesorobjectivesinrelationtodifferentroadsorclassesofroadintheirroadnetwork”.Thiswillprovidegreaterbalanceforcompetingdemandswhilstcontinuingtomanagethenetworkefficiently.TheNetworkManagementDutyguidanceleadstothedevelopmentofhierarchiestoallowthevarioususesofdifferentsectionsofroadortypesofroadtobedefined.Worcestershire,asexpectedbytheNetworkManagementDuty,hasaclearunderstandingoftheproblemsondifferentpartsofthenetworkandtheneedsofdifferentroadusers,alongwithbalancedpoliciesforaddressingthem.

TheidentificationoftrafficsensitivesectionsofthehighwaynetworkisincorporatedintotheStreetGazetteerbasedonthecriteriasetoutinNewRoadsandStreetWorksAct1991(NRSWA).Inaddition,WorcestershiremaintainsaGISdatabasecollatingacomprehensivesuiteoftransportationinformationlayerscovering:

• LocalStreetGazetteer;

• Trafficsensitivitybasedontheparameterssetinsection5.4oftheCodeofpracticefortheCo-ordinationofStreetWorksandWorksforRoadPurposesandRelatedMatters(3rdEdition);

• SectionsofnetworkrequiringContingencyPlansinaccordancewithCivilContingenciesAct2004;

• RoadswithSpecialEngineeringDifficulties(SED);

• Carparkingstrategiesandenforcementplans;

• OffNetworkTacticalDiversionRoutesinpartnershipwithHighwaysEngland;

• Trafficcountdataincludingspeedsandjourneytimedata;

• SpeedLimits;

• Accidentdata(STATS19);

• Trafficsignals–includingqueuingdatawhereSCOOToperates;

• Busservices-frequencyandpatronagelevels;

• Cycling-facilitiesandcountdata;

• Pedestrian-facilitiesandflows;

• Trafficcalming–includingschoolwalkingandcyclingroutes;

• Freightroutes-weightrestrictions,HGVcountdata,keyfreightmovementgenerators;

• Planneddevelopmentwithforecasttrafficgeneration.

Thisdatabasewillcontinuetobeupdatedtoprovideanoverviewofthetraffic(allmodes)characteristicsacrossthewholenetworktoproducearoadhierarchybasedonlevelofuseandfunctionandtoidentifypotentialtrafficcongestionhotspots.Thedatabasewillberegularlyupdatedtoenablefuturereviewsofthesystemasrequired,totakeaccountofactual,ratherthanplannedchangesonthenetwork.

POLICY NMP1 – GIS DATABASE OF WORCESTERSHIRE’S HIGHWAYS NETWORK

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillcontinuetomaintainandimproveitsGISdatabaseofinformationrelatingtothequality,condition,statusanduseofthehighwaysnetwork.

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4.2 Primary Route Network (PRN)

ThePrimaryRouteNetwork(PRN)formsthemainnetworkofhighwaysinthecountryforlongerdistancejourneysandlinkskeydestinations.ThehigherlevelPRN(alsoreferredtoastheStrategicRoadNetwork)isthemotorwayandtrunkroadnetworkandisadministeredbyHighwaysEngland(HE)withfundingfromCentralGovernment.ThelowerlevelisthePRNthatismaintainedbythelocalhighwayauthoritieswithfundingfromCentralGovernment.ThePRNisalsosupportedbyDistrictandlocalDistributorroadswithinthehierarchywhicharemaintainedbylocalhighwayauthorities.

Theroadhierarchywillintegratelanduseplanningwiththedirectingoftraffictosuitableroutesbyensuringthatthehighwaydesignandlayoutreflectstheirrelevantfunction.Investmentinthenetworkistargetedtoadaptthehighwaytoincreaseitsabilitytoreflecttheneedsofdifferentusers.AneffectivePRNisvitalforlongerdistancejourneysandcrucialtotheeconomicwell-beingofWorcestershireandtheregion.Assuch,WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillstronglyresisttheprovisionofanynewaccessesontothePRNbydevelopers,andwillsupportclosureofexistingaccesseswhereverpossible(withsuitablealternativeaccessoptionsprovided)toimprovetheefficiencyofthisstrategicallyimportantnetwork.Figure4.1(overleaf)showsWorcestershire’sPRN.

POLICY NMP2 – PROTECTION OF WORCESTERSHIRE’S PRIMARY ROUTE NETWORK

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwilltakeallnecessarystepstoprotecttheefficientoperationofitsPrimaryRouteNetwork,andwillnotpermitanynewaccessesontothisnetworktobeprovided,unlesswithpriorwrittenagreement.

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillsupportanyfeasibleopportunitiesastheyarisetocloseexistingaccessesontothePrimaryRouteNetworkandrelocatethesetolessstrategicallyimportantroutes.

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FIGURE4.1-WORCESTERSHIRE’SPRIMARYROUTENETWORK(mainAroads)

Key:

PrimaryRoadNetwork(Aroads) Motorwaynetwork(SRN)

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4.3 Planned Works

Worcestershire’sStreetworksTeamisresponsibleforissuingpermitsforplannedworksonthehighwayandforthegrantingoflicencesforskipsandscaffolding.Theteamcontinuouslyreviewstheimpactofworksandeventsonthehighwaynetworkthrougharoadspacebookingsystem.Theirroleistoensurethatcombinationsofworks,eventsorobstructionsareco-ordinatedtoreducedisruptionbyprovidinganoptimumsolutionforoccupationdemandsonthehighwayinaccordancewiththeTrafficManagementAct(2004).

Asbothexternalandinternalworksarerecordedontheroadspacebookingsystemthefollowinginformationisrequested:

• Minimumdurationofworks;

• Workscompletedasnotified;

• Collaborativeworking;

• Staggeredworking;

• MinimumTrafficControllengths;

• Publicnotificationarrangements.

Inaddition,regularinspectionsarecarriedouttoensureworksarebeingcarriedoutsafelyandtoastandardnottorequirefurtherhighwayoccupationforrepair.

Worcestershire’sstreetgazetteerprovidesawiderangeofinformationonthestatusandconditionofeverypartoftheCounty’shighwaynetworkincludingtheleveloftrafficsensitivity.Thestreetgazetteerwillcontinuetoprovidethebasisforthelayeringoffurtherhighwayandtransportationdata.Onceapermithasbeenappliedfortocarryoutworksataspecificlocationonthehighway,theWorksNotificationTeamidentifiesthetrafficsensitivityofthelocationandthemeasuresandconditionstominimisedisruption.

TheCountyCouncilwebsitehaslinkstowww.roadworks.orgwhichshowsplannedroadworks,roadclosuresandlicensedskipsandscaffoldsonthehighway,aswellastemporarytrafficlights,laneclosuresandeventsaffectingthehighway.

4.4 Co-ordination and Improvement Meetings

TheCountyCouncil’sWorksNotificationTeamreceivesinformationfromthoseresponsibleforplanningworksonthehighway,whichincludesmaintenanceteams,improvementschemeteams,utilitycompanies,developersandthestreetlightingteam.Thisinformationiscollatedandtheresultsmerged,withWorcestershireCountyCouncilthenholdingquarterlycoordinationmeetingswiththoseplanningworksandtheWestMerciaPolicetrafficmanagementteam.Thesemeetingsaimtominimisedisruptionbyidentifyingthetrafficsensitivelocations,potentialroadspacesharingopportunitiesandpossibleconflictinghighwayoccupationrequirementstoagreeafuturescheduleofmajorworksandeventsonthehighway.Thequalityofworksandnoticingisalsodiscussedwithimprovementspursuedwhereappropriate.

WorcestershireCountyCouncilprovideslicencesandco-ordinatestemporarytrafficsignals,roadclosures,NRSWA(1991)Section50,HighwaysActSection171,skipsandscaffoldingensuringminimumdisruptiontothehighwaynetwork.

KeepingstrategictrafficmovingasfreelyaspossibleacrossadministrativeboundariesisapriorityandWorcestershireisactivelyinvolvedintheMidlandsServiceImprovementGroup(MSIG),ShiresandUnitariesTrafficManagerGroup(WMS&UTMG),RegionalHighways&UtilitiesCommittee(HAUC),JointAuthoritiesGroup(JAG)andWestandShiresPermit(WASP)Scheme.

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WorcestershireliaiseswithneighbouringauthoritiesandHighwaysEnglandtoensureanongoingstrategicapproachtonetworkmanagementpolicies.Anautomaticnotificationtorelevantneighbouringauthoritiesisgivenoncross-borderroads.Similarly,constantliaisonwithHighwaysEnglandensuresworksonthetrunkroadandmotorwaynetworkthatcouldimpactonWorcestershire’shighwaynetworkaresuitablymanaged(includingtheidentificationofdiversionaryroutes).TheNationalTrafficControlCentre’s(NTCC)TrafficInformationSystemautomaticallyinformsallrelevantorganisationsofincidentsonthemotorway,trunkroadnetworkorlocalroadsrespectivelytoreducetheimpactontheroadnetworkasawhole.

4.5 Events

Worcestershirehasavisitor-focussedeconomy,soitisunsurprisingthattherearealargenumberofeventsthattakeplaceonaregularbasis.Theseeventsareenteredonwww.roadworks.orgundertheeventstabwithco-ordinationandpublicnotificationasdetailedaboveforroadworks.Majorannualeventshavetheirownworkinggroupswhichincludesafetyandtrafficmanagementasamajorpartoftheorganisationalarrangements,forexample,theWorcesterVictorianChristmasFayre.

InadditiontherearenumeroussportingfacilitiesthatattractlargevisitornumberssuchasWorcestershireCountyCricketClub,WorcesterRacecourseandWorcesterRugbyClub.Measureshavebeenputinplacetomanagetrafficflowswheneventstakeplaceincludingtemporarytrafficmanagementtodirecttraffic,additionalparkandride/walksiteshavebeenestablishedandspecialbusservices.AsMajorTripGeneratorsthesevenueswillbeexpectedtoworkwiththeCountyCouncilonTravelChoicestoreducetheirimpactontheroadnetwork,congestionandparkinginthelocality.

Inadditiontothesemajoreventstherearenumeroussmallereventssuchasruns,ridesandrallieswhichcanhaveamajorimpactonthehighwayandthereforerequireplanningtopursueanytrafficmanagementandsafetymeasures.Whilstallknowneventsaremanagedtherearesomeeventsthatdonotrequirenotificationbutcancausetrafficissuessuchascarbootsales.Wheretheseoccurregularlyatknownlocationsthenliaisonwiththeorganiserisquicklyestablishedandsafetyandtrafficmanagementmeasuresimplemented.

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4.6 Information on Street Works

ThecomputersoftwaresystemETONcollectsandco-ordinatesdataforstatutorynoticesincludingthecounty’sownmaintenanceandimprovementworks,developerworks,andotherparty’sworksunderlicence.Utilitiescanviewthesystemtoco-ordinatetheirownworks.ThissystemwhichtheCountynowusespermitsgreatercontrolandaconsistentapproachacrossthewholeregionmakingiteasierforutilitiestoplantheirworks.

ForroadclosuresastatutoryprocessisfollowedthroughtheCountyCouncil,whichincludesadvertisementinlocalpapersandnoticesonsitetoensurethepublicarekeptfullyinformed.TheweeklyRoadWorksReportcoverstheweekaheadandisdistributedtotheemergencyservices,publictransportoperators,DistrictandCountyCouncillors,adjacentlocalauthorities,localmedia(radioandpress)andcountyanddistrictcouncilstaff.

Wherepossible,thepubliciskeptinformedofworksthroughlocalsigningandletterdropstoaffectedresidents.Whenmajorworksareplanned,meetingsareheldwithamongstothersthepolice,localtradersandCouncillorstodevelopatrafficmanagementplantominimisetheeffectoftheworks.Thismeetingwillensureextensivemediacoverageandadvancesignageisputinplace.

Worcestershiresubscribestowww.roadworks.orgwhichprovidesahighqualitymappingsystemidentifyingroadworksforthewholecountryandprovidesaconsistentsystemacrossthelocaltrafficmanagerregion.

Furthertothis,theCountyCouncilworkswithkeystakeholderstogatherhighwaynetworkinformationandtokeeptheminformedoftrafficflows,plannedroadworks,closuresandevents,aswellasconsultingonproposeddiversionaryroutesandhighwayimprovementschemes.Informationgatheredfromkeystakeholdersincludes:

• WestMerciaPolice,TrafficDivision:notificationofincidentsandthesubsequentupdateonclearanceofcongestion;

• Passengertransportoperators:dataonbusreliability,patronagelevelsandidentificationofcongestionhotspots;

• OtherLocalHighwayAuthorities:incidents,plannedroadworksandclosures,eventsandweightrestrictionsthateffectsWorcestershire’shighwaynetwork,anddisseminationofbestpracticeinNetworkManagementthroughvariousmeetingssuchasthetrafficmanagersgroupWMU&STMG,MidlandsServiceImprovementGroup(MSIG),HAUCandJAG;

• DistrictCouncils:notificationofeventsandactivitiesthatcouldcausecongestion;

• CivilParkingEnforcementmonitoringinformationandhotspotidentification,carparkusagedataandfuturelanduseplanningandplanningapplicationsthataffectthehighwaynetwork;

• HighwaysEngland:incidentnotification,includingCCTVcoverageofM5junctions;

• Freighthaulageorganisations:informationonhighwaynetworkproblemsexperienced;

• Police:informationonhighwaynetworkproblemsexperienced,specificallyemergencyissuessuchasaccidents;

• Buses:informationonhighwaynetworkcongestionlocations.

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4.7 Strategic Parking Policy and Modal Hierarchies

Ifnotmanagedefficiently,free,unrestrainedparkingcanbeamajorcauseofcongestion.

Freeon-streetparkingencouragespeopletodriveratherthantowalk,cycleorusepublictransport.Thisincreasesthenumbersofvehiclesontheroadnetwork,andalsoincreasesthenumberofvehicleslookingtoparkinurbancentres.

Asdemandforon-streetparkingincreases,availablehighwaycapacitydecreases.Thiscanleadtoseriouslocalisedcongestionissues,aswellasinhibitingaccessforlocalresidentsandbusinesses.

Similarlyascaruseincreases,passengertransportdemandandprovisiondeclines.Thisresultsinsteadilyreducingaccesstourbancentres,whichcanleadtoeconomicdeclineifnotaddressed.

ThefollowingpoliciessetoutWorcestershireCountyCouncil’sapproachtomanagingon-streetparkingandmodalhierarchies,tomeetitsstatutorydutiesassetoutintheTrafficManagementAct(2004).

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POLICY NMP4 – FOOTWAY (PAVEMENT) PARKING

Footwayparkingcausesarangeofaccessandsafetyissues,particularlyforwheelchairandbuggyusers.WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillworkwiththeWorcestershireBorough,CityandDistrictCouncilstoidentifyareasofthehighwaynetworkwherecurrenttrafficmanagementmeasuresencourageinappropriateparking/accessrestriction,andsupportenforcementoffootwayparkingwhere:

• Suitableroadwidthexiststoparkavehiclewhollyontheroadwithoutcausinganobstructiontootherusers;

• Parkingonthefootwaydoesnotleaveaminimumgapofatleastonemetretoallowusersofthefootwaytopasssafelyand/ordoesnotprovidesufficientroadwidthforpublicservicevehicles(suchasfireenginesandrefusecollectionvehicles)topass;

• Vehiclesarecausingdamagetothefootwayand/ortograssverges.

POLICY NMP3 – ON-STREET PARKING

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillworkwithtransportoperators,neighbouringtrafficauthoritiesandtheWorcestershireBorough,CityandDistrictCouncilstodevelopanddeliverparkingpoliciesineachareawhichsupportlocaleconomicactivityandgrowth,whilstmaintainingthesafeandexpeditiousmovementoftrafficonthehighwaynetwork.

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillpursuethisinthefollowingways:

• CivilEnforcementParkingoperationinpartnershipwithaffectedresidents,businessesandvisitors;

• Coordinationwithoff-streetparkingenforcementmanagementtoensureacomprehensiveandcomplementaryapproach;

• WorkingwiththeWorcestershireBorough,CityandDistrictCouncilstomanagevehicularparkingdemand,particularlyonkeyarterialcorridors,andtodiscourageon-streetcommuterparkingincongestedtownandcitycentres.Thiswillbeachievedthroughtheapplicationofsupplyandpricingmechanisms,theencouragementoftheuseofpublictransport,enhancedprovisionof‘off-street’parkingcapacity,flexibleworkingpatternsandactivetravelmodes;

• Allocatingparkingpermitsorwaiverswithclearconditionsofuse,basedontransparentandconsistentprinciples,togivepriorityinaccordancewiththedefinedhierarchyofparkingenforcement;

• Maximisingthepotentialoftechnologytosupportaneffectiveandefficientparkingmanagementoperation.

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POLICY NMP5 – TRANSPORT MODAL (USER) HIERARCHIES

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillusetransportmodal(user)hierarchiestoinformitsapproachtothetreatmentofmaintransportroutesandroutenetworksinurbanandruralareasintomaintainthesafeandexpeditiousmovementoftrafficonthehighwaynetwork.

MAIN ROUTES

(Defined as all A-Class Roads and Trunk Roads, certain B-Roads which have been prioritised for freight use, but excludes Motorways)

URBAN AREAS

(Defined as all roads and streets which do not fall under the Main Routes category in urban areas)

RURAL AREAS

(Defined as all roads and streets which do not fall under the Main Routes category in rural areas)

CommercialVehicles Pedestrians Pedestrians

PassengerTransportandMotorcycles Cyclists Cyclists

DriverswithDisabilities PassengerTransportandMotorcycles PassengerTransportandMotorcycles

GeneralTraffic DriverswithDisabilities DriverswithDisabilities

Pedestrians CommercialVehicles GeneralTraffic

Cyclists GeneralTraffic CommercialVehicles

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POLICY NMP6 – TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN RURAL AREAS

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillpursuetrafficmanagementschemesinruralareaswherethesecanbeshowntobothmeetlocalneedsandwiderstrategictransportaimsandobjectives.

POLICY NMP7 – IMPROVING RURAL ACCESSIBILITY

Accessingservicesandotherkeytripattractorscanbechallengingforthoselivinginruralareas.WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillworkwithcommunitiesandpartnerorganisationstoidentifymeasuresthatcanhelptoaddressthischallenge,andwillworkwiththesamepartnerstoseekfundingfor/deliveryofsuchmeasures,including:

• Consolidationandexpansionofcommunitytransportprogrammes;

• Improved‘ruralinterchanges’betweenservices(suchasbuses,communitytransportandtaxis).

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4.8 Incident Management and Contingency Planning

TheCountyCouncilandtrafficmanagementpartnershavetodealwithunplannedincidentsandemergenciesonthehighwayincluding:

• Emergencyutilityworkse.g.majorgas,waterleaks;

• Floodingandotherextremeweatherincidents;

• RoadTrafficCollisions(RTCs);

• Accidentalandmaliciousdamagetohighwayassets;

• Spillage,e.g.chemicals,lorryloadsetc.;

• Trafficsignalsfailure;

• Motorwaylaneandtotalclosures.

Anyoftheaboveunplannedincidentscancausetrafficcongestionanddisruption.ThetwoAreaResponseTeamswillcontinuetoensurethatthehighwaynetworkismadesafefollowinganincidentincludingroadclosuresanddiversions,trafficmanagement,clearingofdebrisfromthecarriagewayandarrangingforrepairs.Theteamsare‘oncall’toensurethatincidentsoutsidetheauthority’snormalhoursofoperationareattended.Duringnormaloperatinghoursthisdutyhasbeenabsorbedintothestandarddutiesoftheofficersinvolved.

TheCountyCouncilconsiderstheprovisionofrealtimeinformationasakeytoolinthemanagementofunplannedincidents.Notificationofunplannedincidentscomesfromanumberofsources,includingtheutilitycompanies,emergencyservicesandthepublic.

TheCountyCouncil’stoolkitforrespondingtounplannedincidentsincludes:

• Roadclosure;

• Diversionroutes;

• Repair;

• Warningsignsonthehighway;

• Publicinformationthroughlocalradioandwebsite.

Theincidentfeedbackprocessisactivatedfollowinganymajorincidentwhichstartswitharecordedmeetingtodiscusstheissuesraisedandlistingtheappropriateactionstoimproveservices.Thisprocesswillincludeanalysisofcommentsfrompreviousincidentstoascertainifproceduresareimprovingtheprocess.ThenatureandsizeoftheincidentwilldeterminewhetherthefeedbacksessionsextendbeyondtheNetworkManagementGroupandincludemuchwiderrepresentatione.g.emergencyplanning,emergencyservicesandthemedia.

WorcestershirewillcontinuetoexchangeupdatedemergencycontactdetailswiththepoliceandNationalTrafficControlCentre.InconjunctionwithHighwaysEnglandweundertakeanannualreviewofthecontentsoftheDetailedLocalOperatingAgreementwhichcontainsthisinformation.TheCountyCouncilalsopublishesEmergencycontactnumbersanddistributesthemtowidevarietyofstakeholdersandpartners.

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KeypartnersacrossthecountyincludingthePolice,WorcestershireCountyCouncil,HealthAuthority,EnergySupplyCompanies,SevernTrentWaterandDistrictCouncilsfollowanincidentmanagementprotocolbasedonthefollowinglevelofemergency:

• BronzeControl–partnersandidentifiedstakeholdersarealertedbyemail/phonecallofapotentialincident/emergency.ThisisofteninstigatedbythePolicebutcanbeotherpartnerse.g.healthalertwilloriginatefromtheHealthAuthority;

• SilverControl–ameetingiscalledtobringtheappropriatepartners/stakeholderstogethertoagreetheresponsetoanincident/emergency;

• GoldControl–ongoingemergencyresponserequiredtoamajorincidentthatisathreattopublicsafety.

TheCountyCouncilworkscloselywiththeWestMerciaPolicetoensurethatcongestionanddisruptioncausedbythemovementofabnormalloadsiskepttoaminimum.Wherepossiblemovementiskepttonon-trafficsensitivetimesofthedayandwillavoidpartsofthenetworkaffectedbyplannedevents.TheCountyCouncilalsousesitsrecordstohelpoperatorsidentifyotherownersofstructureswhichmightbeaffectedbytheabnormalloadmovements.

WithrespecttoplansforChemicalfactoryincidentsWorcestershire’sEmergencyPlanningTeamhavetwoControlofMajorAccidentHazard(COMAH)plans.Thediversionroutesandtrafficmanagementareco-ordinatedthroughourHighwaysMaintenanceUnitswithsignageandroadclosuresputintoplacebyourhighwayAreaResponseTeams.

Worcestershire’sTrafficManagerliaiseswiththeEmergencyPlanningTeamtoensurehighwayandtransportactionsareincorporatedintocontingencyplans.

TheCivilContingenciesAct(2004)definesanemergencyas:

•Aneventorsituationwhichthreatensseriousdamagetohumanwelfare;

•Aneventorsituationwhichthreatensseriousdamagetotheenvironment;

•Warorterrorismwhichthreatensseriousdamagetosecurity.

TheTrafficManagementAct2004placesadutyupontheLocalTrafficAuthoritytoensurethatcontingencyplansareinplace24hoursadaytosupportemergencyservicesduringmajorincidents,accidentsandemergenciesandtakeaccountoftherelativeimportanceofdifferentroadstothevariousroadusers.Whentheimmediateperiodhaspassed,theLocalAuthoritywillplayamajorroleinrestoringnormalitytothecommunityandtotheaffectedarea.Themulti-agencycontingencyplansandcommunityriskregisterarecontinuallymaintainedwithfurtherinvestigationsundertakentoidentifyvulnerable,strategicandsensitivepartsofthehighwaynetwork.Thisworkwillupdatethecontingencyplansandassesstheimplicationsforthewholetransportnetworkincludingneighbouringauthorities’networksandthoseroutescontrolledbytheHighwaysAgency.

InconsideringarrangementsformeetingthisdutytheCountywillconsidertheeffectsofouractionsontheMotorwayandTrunkRoadnetworkandthemeasuresthatcouldbetakentomitigateanyadverseeffects.AllpartieswillensurethattheirarrangementsformeetingthetrafficmanagementdutyarecompatibleandtacticaldiversionrouteshavebeenagreedwithHighwaysEngland.

Wewilldevelopagenericcontingencyplanframework,usingtheHighwaysEnglandframeworkasaguidetobestpracticetouseforalldevelopedspecificContingencyPlans.TheframeworkusedbyHighwaysEnglandwillbeusedasaguidetobestpractice.AlloftheCounty’sPrimaryRouteNetworkwillbecoveredbyaContingencyPlan.

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4.9 Flooding

WorcestershireissusceptibletofloodingthroughouttheCountywiththeriversAvon,SevernandTemebeingmostnotableinrelationtothefloodingeventsexperiencedinrecentyears.Asthereareaverylimitednumberofroadcrossingsoftheserivers,itcanleadtoseverehighwaynetworkproblemsifanyoneofthesebridgesbecomesimpassable.

Twodrainagegroupsdealwithflooding/landdrainageissuesthroughouttheCounty.TheWorcestershireLandDrainageGrouplooksatgeneralissuesandongoingimprovementsandtheFloodRiskManagementStrategicCoordinatingGroupconsidersflooding/landdrainagefromastrategicperspectiveandhowpartnershipswithrelevantagenciescanprovideasolution.BothgroupscontainrepresentativesfromWorcestershireCountyCouncil,theWorcestershireDistrictCouncils,NationalFarmersUnion,SevernTrentandtheEnvironmentAgencywithLandOwnerandDrainageBoardrepresentativesalsoattendingthePartnershipmeetings.

TheEnvironmentAgencyhascompileddetailedmapsoffloodareasbasedonrecentfloods.ExtensiveflooddefenceshavenowbeeninstalledinanumberoflocationstoprotectthebuiltenvironmentfromallbutthemostseverefloodingeventsinWorcestershire.

4.10 Winter Maintenance

TheCountyCouncilisresponsibleforprovidingawinterserviceonadoptedpublichighwaysexceptformotorwaysandtrunkroads.Thewinterserviceprovidestreatmenttothehighwaynetworktomitigatetheeffectsoficeandsnowandtomaintaintrafficmovements,whilstminimisingtheimpactoftheserviceoperationsontheenvironment.

WorcestershireCountyCouncilWinterServicePolicyisavailableontheCountyCouncilwebsite.ThispolicysetsouttheprinciplestheCountyCouncilusestomeetitsobligationsanddutiesinrespectofthewinterservice.Ithighlightsthecategoriesofroadstobetreated,inwhatorderofpriorityandhowquickly,toensurethatthetreatednetworkmaximisessafetravelthroughoutthecounty.

Theobjectivesofthewinterservice,sofarasisreasonablypracticable,areto:

• Ensurethesafemovementofvehiclesandpedestriansonthehighwaynetwork;

• Minimisedelays,accidentsanddamagetothehighwayresultingfromiceandsnow;

• Undertakethewinterserviceeffectivelyandefficientlywithinthelimitationsoffiniteresourcesaccordingtonetworkhierarchyandseverityofweatherconditions.

Weatherinformationisobtainedfromspecialistforecasters,roadsidemonitoringstationsandinunpredictablecircumstancessupplementedbypatrolinspections.

WinterServiceoperationswillgiveprioritytoroutescomprisingthePrincipalRoadNetwork,mainandsecondarydistributorroads,linkstovillages,majorbusroutes,emergencyservicelocationsandreasonableproximitytoschools.

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Precautionarysaltingiscarriedoutonapproximately30%oftheroadnetworkinadvanceofhazardousconditionsandatnightwherepossibletominimisedisruption.Precautionaryroutesarereviewedannuallybythewinterservicemanagertakingintoaccountanyservicerequestsreceivedordifficultiesencounteredindeliveringtheserviceduringthepreviouswinterseason.

ThePrecautionaryNetworkispre-definedandcomprises:

• ThePrincipalRoadNetwork,MainDistributorroadsandSecondaryDistributorroads(asdefinedinthecarriagewayhierarchy);

• Commuterroutes(ruralroadscarryingmorethan2,000vehiclesperday);

• LocallyImportantroadsinthecarriagewayhierarchyandatleastonerouteintoallvillagessofarisasreasonablypracticable;

• Majorbusroutes;

• Nogreaterthan500mfromaschool;

• EmergencyServicelocations–policestations,firestations,hospitalsandambulancestations.

SecondaryRoutesmaybetreatedinexceptionalconditionsafteroperationsarecompleteonthePrecautionaryNetworksubjecttoavailableresources.TheSecondaryNetworkispre-definedandcomprises:

• Lessimportantlocal,villageandestatedistributorroadshavingsignificanttrafficflows;

• Minorbusroutes(inurbanareasroadswith7orfewerservicebusesperhourandinruralareas1orfewerservicebusesperhour);

• SchooltransportroutesoperatedbyWorcestershireCC.

PriorityforsnowclearanceisgiventoclassifiedAroadsfollowedbyBroadsontheprecautionarynetwork.Duringprolongedperiodsofadverseconditionsfootwaysandcyclewaysintowncentresareclearedaccordingtonetworkhierarchyandresourcesbeingavailable.

Intheeventthatsaltstocksapproachcriticallevels,aSilverControliscalledandsaltconservationmeasuresinitiated.

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Gritbinswillnormallybeprovidedandmaintainedwithstocksofsalt/gritmixturewheretheyprovideanecessaryimprovementtoroadsafetyandbenefittothecommunitysubjecttoassessmentofeachlocationusingconsistentmethodologyandavailableresource.AWinterServiceOperationalPlanismaintainedthatdetailstheproceduralandfunctionalarrangementsnecessarytoprovidetheserviceinaccordancewiththisPolicy.TheOperationalPlanisreviewedannuallyaftertheendofthewinterseason.TheOperationalPlanincludessuchthingsas:

• Detailsoftheprecautionaryandsecondaryroutes;

• Precautionarydecisionmatrix;

• ArrangementsforcommunicationsbetweentheWinterServiceSupervisors,contractors,inspectorsandemergencyservices;

• ProceduresforlinkingtoweatherforecastersandBureauxservices;

• Procedureforrecordingdailydecisionsandactionsduringthewinterseason;

• RecordofcurrentWinterServicefleetvehiclesandequipment;

• Pre-seasonfleetpreparationactivities;

• Inspectionroutes;

• Snowclearingzonesandarrangements;

• Prolongedsevereweatherarrangements;

• Saltrestockingarrangements.

InadditiontothisWorcestershireCountyCouncilwillensurecomprehensiveliaisonisundertakenwithsecond-tierorganisationsandotherbodiestoensurethattheyareawareoftheNMPwhenexercisingtheirpowersandtoavoidpossiblestrategyconflicts.ItisimperativethatthisStakeholderEngagementisusedinthedecision-makingprocessandinthedeliveryofinitiativesrelatingtothenetworkmanagement.With

regularinputtheCountyisconfidentofthedeliveryofstrongpolicyandappropriateactionstoimprovethenetworkforallusers.

4.11 Whole Authority Approach

TheCountyCouncilprovidesadailyspreadsheetupdateofallworksbeingcarriedoutonthehighwaynetworkincludingskipandscaffoldlicencesandtemporarytrafficsignals.Thisinformationiscollatedanddisseminatedthroughliaisonwithinternalteamsandexternalstakeholderstoensureinformationregardingactivitiesonthenetworkisconsistentandaccurate.

TheTrafficManagerliaiseswithkeystaffacrosstheCountyCouncilincluding:

• EmergencyPlanning,forinputtoemergencyplans;

• StrategicTransportPlanningtoinfluencefutureplanstomanageandinvestinWorcestershire’stransportnetworks;

• Corporatecommunicationsinrelationtomanagingplannedmajorevents.

4.12 Government Agencies

WorcestershireCountyCouncilmaintainsregularliaisonwiththeDepartmentforTransport(DfT)andHighwaysEnglandtoensurethatweareworkingtonationalguidanceandbestpracticeandtoshareinformationanddataonperformancemonitoringandstrategictransportplanning.

WorcestershirehasastrongpartnershipwiththeTrafficManagementDivisionoftheWestMerciaPolicetodealwithincidentsaffectingthehighway.JointprocedureshavebeendevelopedbetweenHighwaysEnglandandtheWestMerciaPoliceforthemanagementofincidentsonthemotorwaynetworkincludingsetdiversionroutes.

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4.13 Stakeholder Management

WorcestershireCountyCouncil’sHighwaysControlCentre(HCC)respondstoenquiriesfromthepublicandislinkedtothesingleaccesspointforpublicinformationattheWorcestershireHub.TheHCCissupportedbyateamofCountyHighwaysLiaisonEngineerscoveringsixspecificareasoftheCountywholiaisedirectlywithCouncillorsandthecommunitiesthattheyserveandrepresent.

TheDevelopmentControlTeamworkscloselywithDistrictPlannersanddeveloperstoreviewplanningapplicationspriortoapproval,toensurethatanysubstantialeffectontrafficflowisadequatelyassessedandappropriateactionsarewithinplanningapproval.

WorcestershireworkscloselywithWorcestershireRegulatoryServicesinthedevelopmentanddeliveryoftheWorcestershireAirQualityActionPlan,whichhasbeendevelopedtotacklethepublichealthissueposedbydeterioratedairquality,asaresultofvehicularemissions.

WorcestershireCountyCouncilcontinuestoworkcloselywiththebuscompaniestoensuretheyarekeptuptodatewithanyhighwayworksthatmaydisruptbusservicesandtoensurethattheirconcernsaretakenintoconsiderationwhenprogrammingworks.

WorcestershirecontinuestoattendregionalHAUCmeetings,withadjacentlocalauthoritiesandutilitycompaniestodiscussanyissuesthatmayariseonthenetworkandourimplementationoftheTMA2004.Worcestershirewillworkwithallstatutoryundertakerstoencouragethejointoccupationofroadspace,toimproveforwardplanningandminimisehighwaynetworkobstruction.

ConsultationisundertakenwithallrelevantpartiespriortoindividualplansandpoliciesbeingagreedbytheCountyCouncil.Thisusuallyincludesthepublicandrelevantusergroups.TheongoingdevelopmentofLocalTransportPlanshasinvolvedacomprehensiveconsultationwithawiderangeofstakeholders,partners,interestgroupsandthegeneralpublic.

4.14 Cross Boundary Engagement

Worcestershire’sTrafficManagerisactivelyinvolvedintheWestMidlands(Shires&Unitaries)TrafficManagersGrouptoensureaconsistentapproachtothenetworkmanagementdutyacrosstheWestMidlands.ThisgroupinputstotheNationalTrafficManagersForumandfollowsthenationalguidanceframework.

WorcestershirehasrepresentativesontheMidlandsServiceImprovementGroup(MSIG),whichismadeupof30authoritiesacrosstheMidlandsandsharesbestpracticearrangementsrelatingtotheNetworkManagementDuty.

AtransportaccessstrategyhasbeenagreedbetweentheCountyCouncil,WestMidlandsCombinedAuthorityandBirminghamCityCouncilwhichcoversaccesstotheLongbridgeareabyrail,bus,cycleandonfoot.AlsoincludedaremeasurestoreducetheimpactoftrafficgrowthonroadslocatedinWorcestershirecausedbytheLongbridgedevelopmentincludingJunction4oftheM5andJunctions1and2oftheM42locatedwithinWorcestershire.

WorcestershireCountyCouncilworksinpartnershipwithneighbouringlocalhighwayauthoritiesandHighwaysEnglandonarangeofissues.FromlocalagreementswithintheWinterServicePolicytocrossbordercontingencyplansandspecificconsultationonplannedeventsweworkcloselywiththeneighbouringhighwayauthoritiestomanageouradjoiningnetworks.WhenevernecessarywealsoliaisewithourownandneighbouringDistrictCouncils.

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4.15 Ensuring Fairness and Standardisation of Practice

WorcestershireCountyCouncilhasestablishedastreetworksinspectionprocedurethatcoversWCChighwayworksandstatutoryundertakingstoensurethatperformancemonitoringofworksagainststandardsiscarriedout,onasixmonthlybasis.

WorcestershireHAUCmeetingstakeplacebetweentheStreetWorksInspectionManager,statutoryundertakersandtheCountyCouncil’smaintenanceengineers,highwayimprovementprojectofficersandworkscontractors.Thesemeetingsenableopendiscussionsonperformanceagainststandardsandbenchmarking.

ThroughoursoftwaresystemEXORwereceivenoticesforallworksfromstatutoryundertakersandourownhighwaymaintenanceandimprovementsteams.Wehaveincreasedourstaffresourcesinprogrammingofhighwaymaintenanceandimprovementworkstoenablenoticingtotakeplaceforallinternalworksthroughtheintroductionofapermitscheme.

TheStreetWorksteamssitwithintheNetworkControlUnitandassuchareseparatefromtheunitsinvolvedinhighwaymaintenanceandimprovement.ThishelpstheStreetWorksTeamtoremainimpartialinensuringadequatenotice,co-ordinationandinspectionofworksonthehighway.TheStreetWorksNotificationManagerliaiseswiththeTrafficManagerandarangeofbodiesinthedischargeofduties.

Worcestershire’sTrafficManagerisactivelyinvolvedintheWestMidlands(ShireandUnitaries)TrafficManagersGroup(WM(S&U)TMG),formedin2005withtheaimofdevelopingaregionalapproachtotheimplementationoftheNetworkManagementDuty.

Aspartofthisgroup,ShropshireCouncilsetupacommonpermitschemethatallowseachauthoritytojointheschemeinlinewiththeirprioritiesenablingthesameschemetooperateacrosstheregion.

4.16 Management of Freight Movements

Freightisproduceorgoodsthataretransportedtomarkets,byroad,rail,waterorair.Suchmovementsareessentialtoensurethatthegoodsandservicesthatpeopleneedtoenjoyahighqualityoflifearemadeaccessibletopeople,whilstpromotingeconomicgrowth.

InWorcestershire,themajorityoffreightistransportedbyroad,particularlyasthisisrelativelycheapandprovidesthegreatestaccesstoallareasofthecounty.TechnologicaladvanceshaveledtoHeavyGoodsVehicles(HGVs)becomingmorefuelefficientandquieter.However,therisingcostoffuelandtheenvironmentalimpactsofroadtransporthaveledfreightoperatorstousealternativeoptionssuchassmallervehiclesand‘justintime’deliverypractices,aswellascycle,railandwateralternatives;thelatterparticularlyforfood,bulkgoods,recyclablesandwaste.

4.17 Partnership Working for Freight

WorcestershireCountyCouncilworksinpartnershipwithfreightoperators,theFreightTransportAssociationandRoadHaulageAssociationsandneighbouringhighwayauthoritiestoimprovetheefficiencyoffreightmovementaroundWorcestershire.Suchpartnershipsprovideaninvaluableplatformtofocusresourcesonthedeliveryoftheaimsandobjectivesoflocalpolicy.

POLICY NMP8 – PARTNERSHIP WORKING FOR FREIGHT

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillcontinuetoworkwithpartneragenciesandorganisationstomanageandimprovetheefficiencyoffreightmovementsinWorcestershire.

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4.18 Monitoring Freight Movements

TheCountyCouncilcollectsdataonfreightmovementsinWorcestershire,toinformitsstrategicapproachtomanagingfreightmovementefficiency.Thisinformationincludes:

• Numbersoffreightmovementsonkeyroutes,bothabsolutevolumesandasaproportionofalltraffic,includingseasonalvariance;

• Theroadnetworkcurrentlyavailableforusebygoodsvehicles,includingthoserouteswithheight,weightandaccessrestrictions;

• Vehicletypes;

• Vehiclesize,heightandweight;

• Originanddestinationdata;

• Lengthofstay;

• Carriertype(e.g.refrigeratedlorries);

• Drivernationalities;

• Freightaccidentpatterns,includingbridgestrikes;

• Theftpatterns.

POLICY NMP9 – MONITORING FREIGHT MOVEMENTS

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillcollectdataonfreightmovementsacrosstheCountytoinformtheCountyCouncil’sstrategicapproachtomanaging,maintainingandinvestinginitstransportnetworks.

Thisdatawillbeusedtoinfluencedecisionmakingandtosupportbidsforfundingtoenhanceinfrastructure,servicesandfacilitiesforfreightinWorcestershire,aswellasmeasurestoimprovetheefficientmovementoffreightintheCounty.

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POLICY NMP10 – ROAD FREIGHT PARKING AND LAYOVER FACILITIES

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillworkwithoperators,developersandthewiderindustrytoensurethatsuitableparkingandlayoverfacilitiesareprovidedtosupportefficientroadfreightoperation.

Whereinappropriateroadfreightparkingiscausingissues,WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillworkwithrelevantpartnerstotakeactiontotacklethis.

4.19 Road Freight Parking and Layover Facilities

Theprovisionofparkingandlayoverfacilitiesforroadfreightiscriticaltoenableitssafeandefficientmovement,andcandeliverthefollowingbenefits:

• Provideopportunitiesforfreightdriverstotakelegallymandatedbreaksandovernightstopovers;

• Promoteenhancedsafetyforroadfreightoperations,asdriversremainalert;

• Provideopportunitiesfordriverstoaccessnecessaryfacilities(washrooms,refreshmentsetc).

IllegalandunauthorisedlorryparkinginWorcestershirehasreducedconsiderablywiththedevelopmentofenhancedinformationforroadfreightoperators.However,wherethispracticecontinues,itislargelybecausesomedriverschoosetoavoidpurpose-builtserviceareastokeepcostsdown,parkinginunsuitablelocations,suchasresidentialareas.

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5. TransportTelematics(Technology)5.1 Introduction

TransportTelematics(technology)hasastrongroletoplayinimprovingthesafetyandefficiencyofourtransportnetworks.WorcestershireCountyCouncilhasinvestedheavilyintechnologicalmeasurestoenableittomonitorandmanagetrafficflowmoreefficiently;recognisingthatimprovingaccesstotravelinformationcandeliversignificantimprovementstojourneytimesandreliability.

5.2 Gathering and Disseminating Travel Information

TheCountyCouncilmonitorstrafficflowsacrossthecounty’sroadnetworkthrough:

• Permanentandtemporaryloopvehicledetectorsfortrafficvolumes;

• Manualcountsforrecordingdirectionalflowsatjunctions;

• Journeytimesurveys;

• Speedsurveys;

• Origin-destinationroadsideinterviewsurveys;

• MobileCCTVcamerasforalltrafficmovementsincludingfreightandpedestrian;

• UtilisingSCOOTASTRIDdatabasefortrafficflowsatsignalisedjunctions.

InadditionwehaveimplementedUrbanTrafficManagementandControlsystemssuchasBluetoothandGPSenabledbusticketingsystemstogivecontinuousrealtimejourneytimedataandweplantoupgradeSCOOTtrafficsignalscontrolsystemtoprovidetrafficflowdataatsignalisedjunctions.

Thelargeamountoftrafficdatacollectedrequiresaframeworktocollatedatatoidentifycongestionandinformthedevelopmentofsolutionstoreducecongestion.WorcestershirehassummarisedthelargeamountoftrafficdatacollectedbyinputtingtheinformationaslayersontheGISbasednetworkhierarchymapandalsobyproducingreportsthatsummarisetheCounty’strafficdata.

5.3 Identifying Congestion Hotspots

Keycongestionhotspotsthroughoutthecountyhavebeenidentifiedthroughtheanalysisofamixtureoftrafficflowandspeedinformation,roaddesigncapacity,journeytimedataandqueuingdatafromtrafficsignaloperationsanddeclarationofAirQualityManagementAreastatus.Therearesomeopportunitiestoimprovejunctioncapacities,andthesewillberaisedforinclusioninsuccessiveiterationsofWorcestershire’sLocalTransportPlan.

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5.4 Intelligent Transport Systems

IntelligentTransportSystemsareinformationandcommunicationtechnologiesappliedinthefieldofroadtransportandincludeinfrastructure,vehiclesandusers,trafficandmobilitymanagementandlinkintoothermodesoftransport.Worcestershire’stransportpolicymakesfulluseofIntelligentTransportSystems(ITS)toassistintacklingcongestion.

AtthehubofthisITSPolicyisUrbanTrafficManagementControl(UTMC),whichprovidesthefacilitytointegrateawidevarietyofinformationonhighwaynetworkconditionsfromnumeroussources/systemstosupportnetworkmanagementandprovidecomprehensivetravelinformationacrossawiderangeofcommunicationchannels.ThroughthismonitoringitcanpredictfuturehighwaynetworktrafficlevelsgivingessentialinformationforNetworkManagementanddevelopmentplanning.

ITScanreducejourneytimeswhichinturnimprovessafetyandreliability,reducesemissionsandensuresmoreaccuratetravelinformation;importantfactorsforthecounty’seconomy.InadditionITScanprovideadvancedincidentwarning,tosupportmoreinformedtravelchoice.

WorcestershirewillcontinuetodevelopandimproveIntelligentTransportSystemstosupportstrategicplanningandthedeliveryofinfrastructureandnewdevelopments.BestpracticeinthisfieldiscrucialinimprovingservicedeliveryanditisimperativethattheCounty,inpartnershipswiththeDistrictsaremonitoringthelatestdevelopmentsinITS.Asappropriate,WorcestershirewillupdateorinstallthelatestprovensystemsapplicabletotheneedsofthecountyandtoachievetheaboveITSpriorities.

SafetyonthehighwaysnetworkandpublictransportisapriorityforWorcestershireandITSwillbeutilisedateveryopportunitytoensurethatallformsoftransportaresafeandconvenienttouse.ITStechnologywillhelptopreventaccidents,givecleardirectionsandprovideimportantinformationtoavoidincidents.

WorcestershirewillensurethatthedifferentareasofITSwillbecoordinatedwhenappropriate.Thiswillbeparticularlyappropriateformajorevents,sportingvenues,majortripgeneratorsandincidentplanningaswellasensuringemergencyvehicleshavecompleteaccessandsupport.Theco-ordinationofITSwillalsobecrucialinthemovementoffreight,goodsandservicesfromthecountytoensurelocalbusinesscanthriveandreducecosts.

Worcestershirewillalsoworkwithneighbouringauthoritiesoncontinuouscross-boundaryITStoensurethecontinuationofeffectivetravelinformationandtrafficmanagement.Animportantelementofthiswillbebestpracticeandthesharingofinformationandprocesses.Thiswillbeachievedfromongoingdialogueandregularmeetingswithadjoiningauthorities.

POLICY NMP11 – TRANSPORT TELEMATICS

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillcontinuetoinvestinarangeoftransporttelematicssystemstosupportmoreintuitiveandefficienttrafficmanagementacrossWorcestershire’stransportnetworks.

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6. TravelChoices6.1 Introduction to Travel Choices

Nationalandlocalpoliciespromotetheimplementationofsustainable(particularlyactive)transportasanimportantelementinmeetingcurrentandfuturetransportdemand.Assuch,theimplementationofsustainabletransportisdirectlyrelevanttothisNetworkManagementPlanasanessentialtooltosupportfulfilmentofWorcestershireCountyCouncil’sstatutorydutiesundertheTrafficManagementAct(2004).

TheNetworkManagementPlanrecognisesthatinvestmentintravelchoiceshasastrongroletoplayinincreasingtheefficientuseoflimitedtransportnetworkcapacity.ThefollowingpoliciessetoutWorcestershireCountyCouncil’sapproachtodeliveringenhancedtravelchoices:

POLICY NMP12 – TRAVEL CHOICE PARTNERSHIP WORKING

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillworkcloselywithpartnersincludingDistrictCouncils,employers,schools,buscompanies,trainoperatingcompanies,HighwaysEngland,theDepartmentforTransportandtheDepartmentofHealth,tosupportenhancedtravelchoices,byimprovingaccesstoinformationandimplementingtransportinfrastructureandserviceenhancementsandencouragingtravelchoice.

POLICY NMP13 – FUNDING FOR TRAVEL CHOICES MEASURES

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillworkwithpartnerstosecurefundingtosupportdeliveryofinterventionstosupportenhancedtravelchoices.

POLICY NMP14 – IMPROVING ACCESS TO INFORMATION TO SUPPORT TRAVEL CHOICE

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillcontinuetoprovideandexpandaccesstohighquality,comprehensivetravelinformationforall.Itwilldothisbyworkingwitharangeofpartners,andwillensurethatthisinformationismadeavailableviaarangeofmediausingaccessibleformats.

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POLICY NMP15 – PRODUCTION OF A TRAVEL INFORMATION MARKETING STRATEGY

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwiththesupportofpartnerswilldevelopacomprehensiveTravelInformationMarketingStrategytoensurethatWorcestershire’stravelinformationisprovidedinaconsistent,easilyaccessibleandrecognisablerangeofformats.

POLICY NMP16 – TRAVEL CHOICES BRANDING

WorcestershireCountyCouncilandpartnerswillusethewell-knownWorcestershireTravelChoicesbrandingtocoordinatealltransport-relatedmarketingandinformationactivitiesundertakentopromotetravelchoicemeasures.WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillseektoapplytheTravelChoicesbrandingconsistentlyandworkwithpartnerstosecurefundingandreviewresourcestoensurethattheyremaininplaceovertimeatthefollowinglocations:

• BusStops,BusandRailStations;

• PassengerTransportTimetables;

• Walking,CyclingandPassengerTransportMaps;

• Alltransport-relatedpublications;

• MajorTripGenerators;

• Placesofeducation.

POLICY NMP17 – TRAVEL CHOICES MAJOR TRIP GENERATOR WORKING

MajorTripGeneratorscontributetoathrivingeconomybutcanhaveaneffectoncongestion,parkingandtheirlocality,issuesthatwillremainunlesstackledaspartofanongoingprocess.WorcestershireCountyCouncilwilldevelopcloseworkingrelationshipswithMajorTripGeneratorsand,withpartners,providethenecessarysupporttoincreaseTravelChoicesattheirlocation.Thisimprovedprocesswillhelpraiseawarenessoftheirlocalandcounty-wideimpact,encourageproblem-solving,sharebestpracticeandprovideamuchgreaterarenaformarketing,promotionofservicesandthesupplyofinformationandincentives.

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POLICY NMP18 – TRAVEL PLANNING

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillcontinuetopromoteandsupportmajortripattractorsandgeneratorstodevelopeffectivetravelplanstomanageandmitigatetheirtransport-relatedimpactsonWorcestershire’stransportnetworks.

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillrequireallnewdevelopmentstoimplementaneffectivetravelplanasaplanningconditionunderaSection106agreement,pursuanttotheTownandCountryPlanningAct(1990)whichwillincludetheuseofabond,inlinewithbestpractice.

Forexistinglocations,WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillconsiderrevenueavenuestosupportthedeliveryofTravelPlansatMajorTripGenerators,EducationEstablishmentsandorganisationswithanoperationalTravelPlan.

WorcestershireCountyCouncilcontinuestoworkwithModeshiftSTARS(www.modeshiftstars.org),thenationalonlineSchoolTravelPlansdevelopmentandmonitoringtool.ThisisavailabletoalleducationalestablishmentsinWorcestershireforfree,toenablethemtodevelopeffectiveSchoolTravelPlanswhichlimitpotentialconflictsbetweendifferenttransportmodes,aswellastosupportgreatertake-upofhealthieractivetravel.

POLICY NMP19 – STATION TRAVEL PLANS

Traintravelisoftenthepreferredmodalchoiceformanycommutersandvisitorstourbancentres,asitoffersareliable,fastcommutingoption.Inmanycases,railseasonticketsofferacheaperalternativethanequivalentcar-basedcommutingoptions.

Demandforcarparkingnearstationshasincreaseddramatically,andmanycarparksareoftenatorovercapacity.Commutersarealsoprice-sensitive,sowilloftenchoosetoparkinnearbyresidentialstreetstoreducetheircosts,whichoftenleadstoconflictwithlocalresidents.

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillworkwithpartnersintherailindustrytoprepareanddelivereffectiveStationTravelPlans,whichseektoenhancetravelchoicestoaccessrailstations.Typically,thisincludesimprovementstowalkingandcycling(activetravel)infrastructureandinformation,butalsobusandcommunitytransportfacilitiesandcarparkcapacityimprovements.

POLICY NMP20 – PARTNERSHIP WORKING FOR TRAVEL CHOICES

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillworkwiththeCity,DistrictandBoroughCouncils,employers,schools,transportoperators,HighwaysEngland,theDepartmentforTransportandtheDepartmentofHealth,toidentify,securefundingforanddeliverTravelChoiceenhancementprogrammes.

TheseprogrammescouldincludeinitiativessuchasBikeabilitytraining,traveltraining,travelplanning,improvedinformation,bicyclestorageandhireschemesandothersupportingmeasures.

Whereverpossible,opportunitieswillbesoughttocombinethedeliveryofsuchprogrammesalongsideexistingornewinfrastructureinvestments,inlinewithbestpractice.

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POLICY NMP23 – BIKEABILITY CYCLE TRAINING

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillcontinuetoprovideBikeabilitynationalcycletrainingtopupilsacrossWorcestershire,subjecttofundingbeingavailable.

POLICY NMP22 – ROAD SAFETY EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMME

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillcontinuetoworkwiththeSaferRoadsPartnershipinWestMerciatomonitorbestpracticeandimplementtheRoadSafetyEducationandTrainingProgramme.

Wherepossible,theCountyCouncilwillseeksupporttodelivertheRoadSafetyEducationandTrainingProgrammefrompartners,schoolemployeesandvolunteers.Mechanismssuchasclassroomspeedawarenesstraining,promotionalactivities,pedestrianandcycletrainingandtransitionalwalkswillbeused.

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillcontinuetoprovideaSchoolCrossingPatroltoassistpupilstocrosstheroadinanumberoflocationsaroundthecounty.

POLICY NMP21 – CAR SHARE DATABASE PROVISION

WorcestershireCountyCouncilwillcontinuetosupporttheprovisionoftheWorcestershirecarsharedatabase,asavaluabletooltoassistinpromotingtravelchoices:

www.worcestershire.liftshare.com

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Worcestershire County CouncilYou can contact us in the following ways:

By telephone:01905 844887

By post:Economy and Infrastructure DirectorateWorcestershire County Council,County Hall,Spetchley Road,Worcester WR5 2NP

By email:Transportstrategy@worcestershire.gov.uk

Online:www.worcestershire.gov.uk/LTP