Executive summary
This was the first year that the entire network operated under the third generation contracts, with BEAR starting work in April 2007 in the North East (NE) and South East (SE). Handover from the previous operator in SE went well and BEAR remained the operator in NE.
Amey in South West (SW) and Scotland TranServ in North West (NW) Units have been operating under these new contracts since April 2006.
Overall, maintenance on the trunk road network was carried out to a good standard. There continued to be very positive working relationships between Transport Scotland, the Operating Companies (OCs) and PAG. All parties worked constructively to resolve issues and raise standards.
The budget allocation from Transport Scotland, at £168.5m, was almost identical to the previous year. Overall spend was broadly in line with budget, with underspends in SE and NW being partly off-set against overspends in NE and SW.
An Efficient Government Assessment indicated the 3G contracts delivered more work on the network for a similar budget than the previous arrangements. The financial systems operated by the OCs were robust.
The OCs successfully operated their management systems, demonstrating they were monitoring their own activities. The OCs showed a highly responsible attitude towards heath and safety and the environment, with their systems meeting the contract requirements.
The OCs performed well in managing roadworks to minimise delays. Cyclic maintenance was generally good, and grass cutting progressed well after a
slow start.
In maintenance operations, the OCs’ workmanship, as well as the performance and supervision of their sub-contractors were generally good. The OCs ran the works contracts process well.
In NE, BEAR clearly demonstrated it is providing value in the treatment of pavement condition, although there is
room for improvement by the other OCs
in this area.
Amey in SW successfully carried out the cyclic maintenance of structures. The other OCs were slow to progress this and some improvement is required. All OCs carried out the necessary principal inspections of structures, although there were delays in the process that all parties are seeking to address.
BEAR in NE performed well in repairing Category 1 defects on time, while there is still some room for improvement by the other OCs, particularly Scotland TranServ in NW.
The OCs performed well in carrying out the specified safety and detailed inspections. Further work is required by all parties, including software supplier WDM, to develop the electronic recording of data for routine maintenance activities.
