DEVELOPING THE
TRANSPORTATION NETWORK IN
WREXHAM
‘Delivering our statutory functions’
Environment & Regeneration
Scrutiny Committee
13 December 2007
Transportation & Asset Management Dept
Environment Dept
Strategic Transport Policy Context
Wales Spatial Plan
Wales Transport
Strategy
Regional Transport
Plan
“Local
Implementation”
Transport Themes
Network Management
Promoting Travel
Choice
Making best use of the
transport infrastructure
Provision of viable
alternatives to single
occupancy car travel
Demand Management
Restrain/reduce the
growth in traffic.
* taken from Wales Transport Strategy Consultation Document
Flow Chart Commentary
- a 20 year plan for the sustainable development
Wales Spatial Plan
Wales Transport
Strategy
Regional Transport
Plan
“Local
Implementation”
of Wales
- provides a framework for the contribution that
transport can make to achieving a sustainable
future for Wales.
- provides the mechanism to deliver transport
aspirations at the local and regional level.
- local transport aspirations feed into and
inform the development of regional transport
policies
Regional Transport Plan
• The Transport (Wales) Act 2006 and the Railways Act 2005 gave the
Welsh Assembly Government powers to plan and improve the
transport system in Wales.
• Amongst the most important provisions are;
- to produce a Wales Transport Strategy,
- new powers to promote regional transport planning (i.e. Regional
Transport Plans).
- direct control of local and regional rail services.
• RTPs will provide detail of the transport policies, schemes and other
interventions each consortia wish to develop in their respective
regions, irrespective of immediate authority boundaries.
Taith link
Regional Transport Plan
• RTP are to be statutory plans with the following essential features:
- LTPs are superseded by the RTP which will cover the same
subject areas but apply to the wider region
- As with the LTP the RTP must cover all transport modes.
- The RTP will apply for a five year period and Annual Progress
Reports will need be submitted annually.
- WAG is reviewing the funding mechanism for transport in Wales.
- A new transport assessment process is being implemented
(WelTAG).
- The timetable for submission of the draft RTP is March 2008.
- The final RTP needs to be submitted in October 2008 for implementation
in April 2009.
Local Implementation “Transport Themes”
• Transport is a multi – faceted subject creating opportunities to access
jobs, services, education, health, leisure and social activities, and
connects businesses and products to market.
• Transport is not however an end in itself. It provides a means of
achieving something or getting somewhere.
• Improving transport provision is an important way of delivering
economic, social and environmental objectives and enhancing
quality of life.
• Our transport focus must, to be consistent with the national objectives
for transport contained within the WTS, concentrate on 3 key
transport themes.
- Network Management
- Demand Management
- Promoting Travel Choice
Local Implementation “Transport Themes”
• Within each of the transport themes there are a range of statutory functions
and processes that highways authorities are required to undertake.
• To supplement these statutory duties there are a range of existing and new
initiatives that are undertaken to meet the desired outcomes for transport both
locally and nationally.
• “Some” statutory functions required include:
- A duty to undertake accident investigation and preparation of
remedial/prevention measures (existing function)
- Highways Asset Management Plan documents the status, condition, lifecycle
planning and valuation of all transport related assets.
- Network Management Duty – New legislation contained as part of the Traffic
Management Act 2004
• Contained within the Transport Wales Act 2006 are powers allowing WAG to
intervene in situations where local authorities are failing to discharge their
statutory transportation duties.
Highways Asset Management Plan
Processes Include:
• Network Definition
Detailed definition of network hierarchy for all modes.
• Asset Collection
Compilation of detailed catalogue of all transport related
infrastructure.
• Condition Surveys
A series of assessment and inspections are undertaken on all asset
types in accordance with pre-determined set frequency dependant
on hierarchy definition.
Streetscene link
• Maintenance Policies
Development of maintenance policies for all asset types i.e.
carriageway resurfacing etc ( Policy )
Highways Asset Management Plan
• Lifecycle Maintenance Plans
Sets standards and intervention criteria to achieve maintenance
policies for all asset types. Enables business case development for
future budget forecasts.
• Maintenance Programme
Programme of proposed schemes to achieve maintenance policy
standards.
• Asset Valuation
The value of all assets relating to transport infrastructure need to be
included within authorities accounts. Annual fluctuations will show
asset depreciation or appreciation and reflect the Authorities
capability to manage the asset.
Network Management Plan
Traffic Management Act 2004
Network Management Plan
• Network Definition
The network needs defining to enable decisions to be made in
relation to the duty. E.g. Traffic Sensitivity
• Consultation
With all stakeholders to engage them in the process e.g. public, bus
companies, businesses
• Co-ordination
All activities must be co-ordinated to reduce congestion / delays e.g.
works, events, refuse collection
• Communication
Inform the public about events on the highway e.g. Roadworks,
Emergency Incidents, Parades
Network Management Plan
• Incident Response
Have plans in place to deal with unplanned incidents e.g. Inclement
Weather, Road Traffic Collisions
• Enforcement (Policy )
Ensure Utility Works are completed on time - Charges / FPN
Ensure Highway Works are completed on time – PI’s
Permit schemes for Scaffolds / Skips
CPE
CPE link
• Evaluation
Measuring weather the policy is working e.g. Performance
Indicators, Targets, Journey Times
Who does
what
Provide
Policy
TAM Department
-
Environment Department
-
Provides
Feedback
Summary
Much of the work described in this presentation
has been ongoing for some time. This exercise is
intended to demonstrate what is already being
done as well as outlining what needs to be done.
This work is essential and will feed into the
development of the RTP
Members will approve:
• Timetable for project
• Maintenance Policies
• Network Management Plan and associated
policies
Timetable for proposed policy
development
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Presentation to scrutiny- Dec 07
Reports prepared by Officers - Jan - March 08
Consultations with stakeholders - April 08
Workshops for Officers/Members - May 08
Risk Assessment workshop - May 08
Scrutiny Update - June 08
Environment,Health and Equality impact
assessment - Aug - Sept 08
• Report to Scrutiny - Nov 08
• Report to Executive Board - Dec 08
Review and Management of Project Risks
• An Initial risk assessment exercise on RTP delivery has been
undertaken. This has been subject to periodic review and update.
• Through planned mitigation and changing circumstances. Many of
the early risks are no longer considered a significant threat to the
delivery and on-going operation of DPE in Wrexham.
• The on-going review of the delivery of the RTP has highlighted a
series of new areas of additional risk:
Allocation / use of resources
Impact 1
Mitigation
- Failure to deliver local and regional transportation
- Agree priorities for service plans via Scrutiny and
Executive Board.
Local Government Elections
Impact 1
Mitigation
- Change of direction for local and regional transportation
- Work within National principles and best practice I.e via
WLGA and CSS.
Review and Management of Project Risks
Performance of Regional Consortium – Taith
Impact 1 - WAG establish a joint transport Authority for delivery of the
transport agenda in the region.
Mitigation - Wrexham officers are playing a significant and active role on
RTP development at all levels (e.g. Member, Strategic
Director and Chief Officer level.)