The street works charter is focused on improving the management and communication of road works within the public highway for the benefit of road users in Lincolnshire. The charter acts as commitment to drive positive change by:
- ensuring work is completed safely
- keeping disruption to a minimum
The parties signing this charter understand the mutual benefits of working collaboratively. In turn this acts as an enabler for each contributing party to meet their corporate objectives.
All parties agree to work together to achieve these objectives whilst carrying out their core statutory obligations:
Ensure highway network availability
Minimise disruption by taking reasonable measures to maintain network availability.
Work with the highway authority, partners, contractors and other utility companies wherever possible in accordance with the Lincolnshire permit scheme.
Prioritisation of work
Prioritise resources to minimise disruption to the most used roads to:
- works with traffic management
- works likely to cause greater disruption on the network
Immediate urgent and emergency work
When viable, coordinate urgent works with the highway authority to ensure disruption is minimised.
Traffic management
Minimise traffic congestion by:
- effectively assessing traffic management methods in the planning stage
- ensure the appropriate approach is used to safeguard the workforce and public
- open the road for traffic as soon as possible where:
- a site is unattended
- traffic management is no longer required for site safety
- commit to reducing road closures where reasonably practicable
Ensure health and wellbeing of the workforce and the public
Contribute to and improve the health, safety and welfare for the workforce and the population in Lincolnshire by:
- maintaining safe and accessible routes for pedestrians and cyclists
- ensuring that vulnerable groups are not unduly affected by the works
Collaborative and cooperative approach
Establish a successful culture across all partners.
Develop positive, creative and innovative working relationships that share intelligence and collaborate.
Create thriving environments
Recognise that street works are necessary and important to:
- maintain vital services
- enable development
- improve infrastructure
Work together to:
- protect, enhance and balance environmental and social needs through cooperation and intelligence sharing
- ensure communities are connected and resilient
Protection of the highway asset
Complete ‘right first-time’ reinstatements. Ensure identified defects are corrected to reduce the need for a return visit to the same location.
Communication
Provide effective, clear and reliable public information about works activity.
For major planned works we will share details with all stakeholders regarding the:
- nature and duration of works
- traffic management
- support for vulnerable groups
- planned end date
- working hours
- points of contact
- frequently asked questions
Innovation
Continually improve how works are carried out in the highway. Share new techniques, ideas and product information to foster collaborative working and protect the highway asset.
The county council commits to undertaking A9 trials of new materials. This will include testing of such materials along with innovation trials.
Continually develop processes and systems to ensure they are effective in delivering an efficient service.
Signed by:
Anglian Water, Balfour Beatty, Cadent, Colas, CityFibre, Harlaxton Engineering Services Limited, Lightspeed, Lincolnshire County Council, National Grid, Northern Powergrid, Quickline, Spring Fibre, Upp and WSP