Ever wondered why there are so many road works scattered around with no obvious plan to alleviate the stress on the smooth running of London’s transport infrastructure.
We have it on good authority that many essential road upgrades are held up because of the number of emergency issues that take precedence.
But it’s not unusual to see roads dug up and left, with no obvious work being carried out while the company (supposedly doing the repair) concentrate on other areas.
It is not unknown that Transport for London charge a rental for road works (one of the reasons why there are so many). But there is no directive on the urgency for work to be completed.
Transport for London has therefore announced plans to change the way its ‘Lane Rental’ scheme works.
The new scheme will allow Transport for London (TfL) to charge utility companies a higher daily fee (there’s a surprise) for digging up some of the capital’s busiest roads during peak times.
The idea is it will encourage companies to plan the works they need to carry out to fall outside of peak travel times, therefore avoiding extra costs.
But when this is thought through, it just doesn’t add up!
There are two busy rush hours daily...how many utility related road works have been completed in the space between rush hours.... it just doesn’t pan out. Many believe this is just TfL again, using these works as another cash cow, to finance even more harebrained so called safety schemes.
They have said all the money generated by the lane rentals is reinvested into other disruption-reducing measures. But have been unable to give any examples.
The proposed changes would see the extent of the Lane Rental network increased to apply to 72 per cent of TfL’s road network, as well as the introduction of a £350 charge per day for works that impact the busiest sections of pavement.
They went further to proclaim that the move is intended to reduce the number of locations where the highest charges apply and reduce the number of hours when charging would apply – helping to promote work at quieter times. (More like as one finishes another begins)
It’s a fact that very few utility based works carry on through the night.
Companies would also be offered discounts when they meet strict safety standards.
Glynn Barton, TfL’s director of network management: "We’re working very closely with the industry on schemes such as Lane Rental and our Roadworks Charter to reduce the impact of roadworks and to keep people moving safely around the capital."
Well Glynn, this is not a computer model, this is real life and at present your planned schemes are work working.
Proof that these present schemes aren’t working am can be seen in the gridlock on most main roads around the capital.
No comments:
Post a Comment