DEVELOPING THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK IN

WREXHAM‘Delivering our statutory functions’

Environment & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee

13 December 2007

Transportation & Asset Management DeptEnvironment Dept

Strategic Transport Policy Context

* taken from Wales Transport Strategy Consultation Document

“Local Implementation”

Demand ManagementNetwork Management Promoting Travel Choice

Wales Spatial Plan

Wales Transport Strategy

Regional TransportPlan

Provision of viable alternatives to single occupancy car travel

Making best use of the transport infrastructure

Restrain/reduce the growth in traffic.

Transport Themes

Flow Chart Commentary

“Local Implementation”

Wales Spatial Plan

Wales Transport Strategy

Regional TransportPlan

- a 20 year plan for the sustainable development 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- LTPs are superseded by the RTP which will cover the same subject areas but apply to the wider region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 PlanProcesses Include:

• Network DefinitionDetailed definition of network hierarchy for all modes.

• Asset CollectionCompilation of detailed catalogue of all transport related infrastructure.

• Condition SurveysA series of assessment and inspections are undertaken on all asset types in accordance with pre-determined set frequency dependant on hierarchy definition.

• Maintenance Policies

Development of maintenance policies for all asset types i.e. carriageway resurfacing etc ( Policy )

Streetscene link

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 ProgrammeProgramme 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

Environment Department-

TAM Department-

Provides Feedback

Provide Policy

Who does what

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 - Failure to deliver local and regional transportation

Mitigation - Agree priorities for service plans via Scrutiny and Executive Board.

Local Government ElectionsImpact 1 - Change of direction for local and regional transportation

Mitigation - Work within National principles and best practice I.e via WLGA and CSS.

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.)

Review and Management of Project Risks