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Jam-busters to patrol highways
Page 15
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A NEW BREED of enforcement officer will be created next year in a bid to reduce traffic delays caused by roadworks and accidents.
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling says "jam-buster patrols" appointed by the Highways Agency will ensure that any obstructions on motorways or trunk roads are removed as quickly as possible.
His Traffic Management Bill will also give local authorities greater control over when and where utility companies dig up roads.
Darling claims the result will be a much greater focus on tackling the causes of congestion. But it has met with a mixed response from the haulage industry Ken McIntosh,business development manager of Bird's Groupage Services in Oldbury,West Midlands, says:"The only way to deal with traffic congestion is to build new roads and everyone knows that. All of these things are shirking the issue —it's another cop out."
Chrys Rampley, manager of infrastructure for the Road Haulage Association, is more positive: "Local authorities were given greater powers to deal with this issue about 10 years ago with the New Roads and Streets Works Act but we found that utilities kept using emergency powers rather than complying properly. This new legislation should give councils a few more teeth."
The legislation will require every local authority to appoint a traffic manager to keep traffic moving. If this fails Darling will appoint a traffic director to do the job for them.