Chapter 2
Reliable journey times and safety on the network
Key points
Planning roadworks
• By carefully planning roadworks, the OCs continued to perform well in minimising delays and keeping the trunk road network open.
Maintenance
• In maintenance operations, the OCs’ workmanship, as well as the performance and supervision of their sub-contractors was generally good.
• The works contracts tender documents prepared by the OCs continued to be of a high standard. Contractors’ workmanship on works contracts was good and they were supervised well by the OCs.
• The tendering process for works contracts was well managed, and out-turn costs were controlled.
• NE clearly demonstrated it is providing value in the treatment of pavement condition. There is room for improvement by the other OCs in
this area.
• 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.
Road defects
• NE performed well in repairing Category 1 defects on time. There is still room for improvement by the other OCs, particularly NW.
• The national freephone number for defect reporting continued to pass road users’ comments on to the OCs.
Winter
• The winter period was marginally
colder than 2006/07. This was reflected in more road closures due to winter weather.
• The OCs’ performance in delivering their winter service was generally good.
Safety
• Traffic management at roadworks sites was generally good, particularly on the larger works contracts.
• The OCs put considerable effort in to identifying, developing and designing schemes for implementation.
Emergencies
•The OCs responded professionally to emergencies on the network. In particular NW and SE dealt well with major landslips and subsidence.
