Tag: Roads

Getting it fixed first time: new plan to improve city’s roads

A plan to improve the way the Council carries out road repairs is set to go before councillors this week. A report on the Roads Services Improvement Plan, which will be considered by the Transport and Environment Committee on Thursday, states that: “the Council needs to maintain a high-quality road network to ensure the safety of road users, to ensure road users can freely travel around our network and to protect the overall appearance of Edinburgh as a city”.  

Continue reading Getting it fixed first time: new plan to improve city’s roads

Letters: drivers should take a hard look at themselves

Dear Editor

Drivers who are moaning and groaning about a restriction on ‘them’ having to observe a speed limit should take a hard look at themselves and their reasons for objecting.

Driving in a city can be one of potential risk to pedestrians and drivers alike – except that drivers have a two ton object in their hands travelling at speed.

There are very few times whilst driving in the city when one is able to travel more than a few hundred yards before having to stop, yet some drivers feel it is their personal right to travel those few hundred yards as fast as they wish, causing hazardous conditions for all, just to save a few seconds of their precious time.

That is why I say: those drivers should take a hard look at themselves and their attitude to others.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Road works consultation underway

Have your say on road repairs

roads

A consultation on proposals to raise standards and improve the quality of road works has been launched. The consultation, announced by Transport Minister Humza Yousaf on Thursday, aims to develop the regulation of road works in Scotland.

The Scottish Government wants to hear the views on proposals to raise standards and improve the quality of road works, enhance enforcement and provide additional powers for the Scottish Road Works Commissioner.

The consultation includes recommendations from Jim Barton’s independent review in 2016 of the Office and Functions of the Scottish Road Works Commissioner.

Mr Yousaf said: “The planning and coordination of road works in Scotland, is already streets ahead of the rest the UK. We have a single register for all utility road works which covers the whole of Scotland. We are unique in having the Scottish Road Works Commissioner to oversee the planning and coordination of road works, promote good practice, and ultimately consider enforcement action.

“However, despite having many strengths, we recognise there is still room for improvement.

“Road works are often where our busy lives intersect with our reliance on utility services. Our expectation is that where there is an unforeseen interruption to our water, electricity, gas or broadband services, the necessary repairs will be carried out quickly, and disruption to road users will be kept to a minimum.

“Our road network is an important national asset and we need to be confident that we have the right measures in place to ensure that those digging up the road, reinstate the road properly and get it right first time.

“We have worked closely with key stakeholders including Angus Carmichael the current Scottish Road Works Commissioner, to develop these proposals and I would like to thank Angus, those representing road authorities and utility companies for their input.”

Angus Carmichael, the Scottish Road Works Commissioner said: “During my 21 months in post, I have been particularly welcoming of the opportunity to work in partnership with roads authorities, utility companies and the Scottish Government on input to this important consultation on improving the regulation of road works in Scotland.

“This process provides a rare opportunity for the road works community to help further improve the regulatory framework and ultimately the management of road works across Scotland.”

Members of the public can access the consultation via the Transport Scotland website until 12 October 2017.

Continue reading Road works consultation underway

Flora’s kids warn: 20’s plenty

floras20b

Local primary school children have created their own colourful posters to support the ongoing rollout of slower speeds on roads across Edinburgh. Phase three of the road safety scheme will be rolled out next month. Continue reading Flora’s kids warn: 20’s plenty