Friday 12th December 2003

'Jam Busting' Plan Unveiled

Transport Secretary reveals more plans to ease congestion

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Alistair Darling unveiled his latest schemes yesterday intended at improving traffic flow on Britain's roads.

The meat of the plan is that more powers will be given to authorities other than the police to keep our roads clear.

One - alarmingly sensible - move will be the introduction of uniformed Highways Agency staff to clean up accidents on motorways. They will not only sweep the roads and clear up the wreckage but also take control of traffic management around the incident, freeing up police resources.

Less well publicised has been the introduction of 'Traffic Managers' by local authorities. Each authority is now required to introduce a 'manager' to keep local traffic moving. If an authority makes a pig's ear of the job then the Secretary of State will appoint their own manager.

Permits will be issued by local authorities to utility companies wanting to dig up the roads in a move intended to minimise disruption. Poor repairs would also be liable to a £5000 fine.

Finally, local authorities will take over certain enforcement roles from the police including things such as enforcing rules regarding box junctions and yet more powers regarding parking.

[britten_mark]

If you were as close to the "heart" of local authoruty as I am you would not agree with putting them in charge of anything as serious as this. The words "brewery" and "pi$$-up" spring to mind.

[skoda_rob]

Hmm...OK, so they can either pay "uniformed Highways Agency staff" to clean up instead of police...or they could hire more police?

Or is that just far too logical...


Rob.

[kdd]

skoda_rob said:

Hmm...OK, so they can either pay "uniformed Highways Agency staff" to clean up instead of police...or they could hire more police? Or is that just far too logical... Rob.

But that wouldn't cost as much, involve as much red tape, or take as long

[agent006]

Well i think it's a great idea. Quite how clearing up road accidents comes under the brief of fighting crime has always puzzled me.

[LuS1fer]

Here's my suggestion. Divide the roads into quarter mile drag strips between junctions. Set pairs of cars off to run the quarter as fast as possible. Get to work in 6 minutes.

[skoda_rob]

agent006 said:

Well i think it's a great idea. Quite how clearing up road accidents comes under the brief of fighting crime has always puzzled me.

And if you're lost and a police officer gives you directions, how is that under the brief of fighting crime?

Just how busy are the cleanup people going to be anyway? What are they going to be doing between jobs? People on here are always complaining how there aren't enough police officers, and that speed cameras are no substitute - the chance to get more police on the roads should be taken!


Rob.

[craigalsop]

skoda_rob said:

the chance to get more police on the roads should be taken!

Isn't this taking police *off* the roads ?

[skoda_rob]

craigalsop said:

Isn't this taking police *off* the roads ?

I see your point. If they already had uniformed staff hired, and weren't planning of hiring more police officers, then I'd probably concede that it's a good idea.
However, if they hired more police officers instead of these cleaners, it would increase the number of officers available. And the wouldn't be cleaning up motorways all the time, so rather than sitting eating donuts waiting for another accident to attend, they could be patrolling.


Rob.

[hornet]

Another New Labour classic - something not working properly? Employ more managers! Wonder if the tackling congestion remit will stretch to the position not having a company car? Hmmm...

[nonegreen]

I think this one is more aimed at new labours great ambition to have everyone on the minimum wage, except their cronies of course. They are probably thinking along the lines of get the "fat old" (ie experienced) traffic cops out on the beat (ie they will retire them) and employ some little scrotes at £4.50 per hour to sweep up the motorway every morning after bang thingy happens.

[dandarez]

Jeez, I cannot wait for the next Gen Election to amend the errors of my ways - hope it's not too late and this country is still here

[britten_mark]

Amen to that.