Staffordshire CC is preparing a business case for switching to a highways permit scheme to help tackle congestion.
As latest figures show congestion is on the rise across the country, with the UK now the worst in Europe for traffic jams, David Walters, regulation and governance manager at Staffordshire CC, has revealed the authority is considering its options.
‘We are looking at putting the business case with members in the spring next year. Then you are looking at 18 months probably beyond that, in terms of putting a permit scheme in place if that is what we choose to do.’
Permit schemes provide an alternative to the notification system whereby an activity promoter working on the roads will have to apply for a permit from the highways (permitting) authority to occupy the highway, rather than informing the authority about its intention to carry out works.
The system can support much greater coordination of road works and as a result less traffic jams.
The plans build on greater collaborative working between Staffordshire and utilities in recent years.
Mr Walters highlighted to the progress made by county’s Divisional Highway Programme.
He said: ‘We have had occasions where we have had utilities doing pothole repairs for us while they have been doing work on the network and cutting trees back at the same time for us as they have had traffic management in place.'
The full interview with David Walters features in this month's Surveyor.
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