Guidance Notes and Best Practice Guides

HA: The Highways Agency is looking to build closer working relationships with local authorities by distributing a new version of the National Guidance Framework at the July Traffic Operations Co-ordination Committee meeting.  The agreement gives local authorities guidance about how they can best share information with the Highways Agency.  
 
It covers the operational areas where the Highways Agency and the local authority will work together to better manage traffic & ease congestion to provide more reliable journey times.  These areas for collaboration could include pre-planned events, diversion routes and the sharing of variable message signs (VMS) & CCTV systems.
Press release ~ National Guidance Framework
 
DfT: The government claims that guidance published last week will allow TfL to better integrate London's inner suburban rail network with the rest of the capital's transport system. 
 
The guidance explains the role of TfL in the rail franchise process and, following a consultation last year, allows TfL to propose & pay for extra train services and station improvements on certain 'inner suburban' routes that extend just beyond the Greater London Authority boundary.
 
When proposing service or station changes TfL will have to consult local transport authorities in the affected areas beyond the boundary, as well as Regional Assemblies and London TravelWatch. Were TfL to seek any reductions to service levels, the governance arrangements are stronger.  TfL would require the agreement of affected local transport authorities.
 
The Government will publish the High Level Output Specification and longer term rail strategy this summer which will detail the requirements the Secretary of State has for rail services in the period 2009-2014, and examine longer term issues for rail in London and elsewhere.
Press release ~ 'Guidance on the role of Transport for London in the Department for Transport's rail franchising process' ~ TfL ~ London TravelWatch
 
NAO: The National Audit Office has reported that employment programmes are making a difference for those who take part.  More people are in work than before, and the New Deal have been successful in helping participants into work.  However more needs to be done to reach out to the most disadvantaged, particularly people living in the 3m workless households in the UK.
 
The Department for Work and Pensions provides a wide range of support to help people into work, and the difference between the employment rate of many disadvantaged groups and the overall employment rate has reduced.
 
While more people are in work than ever before, there are still more than 4.2m working age adults and 1.7m children living in households where nobody works.  Internationally the United Kingdom has one of the highest rates of people living in workless households. 80% of workless households have no-one who is actively seeking work and many have been on benefits for a long time.
Press release ~ Helping people from workless households into work ~ Executive Summary
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