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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
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