Highways Agency Business
Plan 2009-10: delivering through investment and innovation
HIGHWAYS AGENCY News
Release (HA-14-09) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 20 March 2009
The Highways
Agency has today published its annual Business Plan for 2009-10,
describing in detail how it plans to continue to improve
England's strategic road network.
Up to £6 billion programme of investment in England's road
network was announced by the Department for Transport (DfT) in
January - the Agency will now pursue a vigorous programme of
improvement and investment in an efficient, economically
controlled, and sustainable manner.
This financial year the Agency aims to start construction work on
six major road schemes: M25 widening junctions 16-23 and also
junctions 27-30, Hard Shoulder Running on M6 junction 8-10a, A14
Felixstowe to M1 traffic management technology improvements, Hard
Shoulder Running on M1 junction 10-13, and also on M4 junction
19-10 and M5 junction 15-17.
As well as this the Agency is bringing forward work valued at
£400m as part of the Government's Fiscal Stimulus measures.
This includes starting construction work in April on the A46
Newark to Widmerpool scheme three years ahead of the original
timetable, as well as making a start on the managed motorways
programme, and a substantial programme of asset renewal work.
Graham Dalton, Highways Agency Chief Executive, said:
"We now have a defined major roads programme for 2009-10 and
beyond, which includes rolling out the innovative Hard Shoulder
Running and Active Traffic Management schemes on key sections of
our motorway network. This, in conjunction with conventional road
improvement schemes, will deliver greater benefits for managing
and operating the road network, making journeys more reliable and safer.
"The Agency is going to be delivering more efficiently and
obtaining greater results with our resources, and working closely
with our suppliers. Our investment, use of technology and
innovation will ensure the strategic road network is more
sustainable, and supports the economy as well as the day to day commuter."
Value for money will continue to be gained by tighter cost
management of major projects and procurement efficiencies, among
other measures, in line with the targets agreed by the Department
for Transport and HM Treasury. Hard Shoulder Running will also
assist in delivering increased value for money, by giving greater
additional network capacity for the same level of funding.
Last week, the Agency announced the Midnight Switch-Off lighting
strategy to reduce carbon emissions by up to 40 per cent on six
motorway stretches as part of the Sustainable Development Action
Plan. This year's Business Plan includes the Agency's
first carbon reduction targets, which have been set using data
gathered during 2008-09.
The Highways Agency will continue to use innovative technology to
deliver services - with the introduction of the Managed Motorways
concept, a combination of proven techniques (including Hard
Shoulder Running, ramp metering, and variable speed limits), and
improvements at specific sites such as the A14 corridor traffic management.
In 2009-10 the Agency will complete the £68m A1 Bramham to
Wetherby, including the Wetherby bypass, and the £84m A1
Peterborough to Blyth junction improvement scheme. It also plans
to award the 30-year private finance contract (in excess of £5
billion) to design, build, finance and operate more than 63 miles
of the M25.
Other key measures in the Business Plan include:
* Building
on the successful introduction of Travel Time Variable Message
Signs, we are now looking to expand the coverage of the
service.
* New technology and techniques, such as the Traffic
Speed Deflectometer which is used to monitor sub-surface road
condition, being introduced to optimise road maintenance and
surveying activities - thereby reducing disruption to road
users.
* Creating better defined performance measures to
enable the Agency to manage suppliers' performance, and make
informed selection for new work.
* Working with Dutch
Ministries on air quality research to identify any mitigation
measures suitable for use in England, to expand our environmental
expertise and policies in a cost-efficient way.
* Around £12m
to be invested in our research and development programme, looking
at improvements areas including technology, safety, efficiency and
environment issues.
* Continuing successful Driver Information
Programmes, such as Respect Our Road Workers and Great Roads Great
Rides 2, working in partnership with a variety of organisations to
help change driver behaviour and improve safety on the road.
A copy of the Business Plan will be available online from today
(Friday 20 March 2009) at: http://www.highways.gov.uk/businessplan
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department
for Transport. It manages, maintains and improves England's
motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
2. Real-time traffic information for England's motorways and
major A roads is now available:
- From our new Traffic Radio
service, available on DAB digital radio and the internet at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk
To tune into the DAB service, simply press the 'scan'
button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available
channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through
the channels until you reach 'Traffic Radio'.
- On
the internet at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo
- By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated
phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870
numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually
cost more).
3. Before using a mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop
on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make
sure it's safe and legal before you call.
4. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its
work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk
or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40
30 at any time. (Calls to 0845 numbers cost no more than 3p/min
from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines
and mobile networks may vary).
Issued by the Highways Agency Press Office.
For further information please contact the National Press Office
on
0207 081 7443 (24-hour).