Road works this time of year.
Discussion
I know its thought of as a myth that councils have to spend the budget before the year end or they wont get the same again next year, but yet again as the financial year draws to a close roadworks have sprung up everywhere. In the last 3 weeks or so just about everywhere I go there is a set of temporary lights, last year it was mile upon mile of blue barriers that sprang up around the beginning of march. The year before was similar and before that the same again.
Is it true, do the councils waste what ever money is left just so they get the same again or is March just a good month for roadworks.
Is it true, do the councils waste what ever money is left just so they get the same again or is March just a good month for roadworks.
Generally speaking:
Budgets run out (time-wise) at the end of march. There is a maintenance Budget, forpotholes, resurfacing etc. That money gets rationed/programmed for spend during the year, with some set aside for emergencies/unforeseen works.
Improvement/capital/schemes budgets will be different and will be bid for the year before, based on suggestions from the public, committees, policies etc. Maybe some renewal of worn-out assets - but that could also come from maintenance budgets, authorities vary. These schemes will generally be design and build within the same financial year, so the first 9 months are all prep work in the office, with the site works happening at the end of the year.
There are exceptions to this, but generally its the time of year that schemes come to fruition. Looking at it from a different POV, its not unreasonable to say its a rush to spend the budget, but its more for administration purposes than "use it or lose it".
Then there's the weather difference in March compared to Nov-Feb. Minimal daylight, ice, heavy traffic etc. Ideally we would design in winter and build in summer, but the fiscal year restricts it.
That's a basic outlook - I've worked highways in several local authorities and the HA, and some little variances aside, that's generally how it works.
ETA and March is also when they (the maintenance boys) tend to hit the winters potholes/drainage issues hard.
Budgets run out (time-wise) at the end of march. There is a maintenance Budget, forpotholes, resurfacing etc. That money gets rationed/programmed for spend during the year, with some set aside for emergencies/unforeseen works.
Improvement/capital/schemes budgets will be different and will be bid for the year before, based on suggestions from the public, committees, policies etc. Maybe some renewal of worn-out assets - but that could also come from maintenance budgets, authorities vary. These schemes will generally be design and build within the same financial year, so the first 9 months are all prep work in the office, with the site works happening at the end of the year.
There are exceptions to this, but generally its the time of year that schemes come to fruition. Looking at it from a different POV, its not unreasonable to say its a rush to spend the budget, but its more for administration purposes than "use it or lose it".
Then there's the weather difference in March compared to Nov-Feb. Minimal daylight, ice, heavy traffic etc. Ideally we would design in winter and build in summer, but the fiscal year restricts it.
That's a basic outlook - I've worked highways in several local authorities and the HA, and some little variances aside, that's generally how it works.
ETA and March is also when they (the maintenance boys) tend to hit the winters potholes/drainage issues hard.
Edited by OpulentBob on Tuesday 18th March 18:19
Crossflow Kid said:
I like it. The M3 is now silky smooth from Amazingstoke to well beyond Farnborough.
Just need those a
holes in Surrey Highways to spend some cash on their bit now, the tight-fisted anti-car tts.
Amazingstoke - I'm using that!! Just need those a
holes in Surrey Highways to spend some cash on their bit now, the tight-fisted anti-car tts.And Surrey Highways are the most obstructive, useless bunch ever. I had to get their network manager shifted sideways in the organisation to get my (Highways Agency) scheme going. I shudder at the thought of having any more to do with them!
NH1 said:
From what I usually see though its not road repairs they are doing, they will be digging a hole in the ground or altering a junction etc. If they do have money to burn it would be put to better use filling in the pot holes.
Different budgets, ringfenced for their own schemes or repairs (and ne'er the twain shall meet 
)... 
Different funding streams (as I posted) - plus a CBA carried out by a desk-based pen-pusher giving a 'finding' in favour of spending some of the repairs budget to prevent claims for compo from other budgets, even just for a few days before the planned resurfacing scheme begins and which is funded from yet another budget...
I've worked in local government, and walked amongst the lowest of the low covering their "made yet another dubious decision in the public's eyes
" backsides in a local authority "housing repairs" dept . I'm also deeply cynical 
.
I'll grant you, it's all messed up - and focus has been, errm, lost
.
I've worked in local government, and walked amongst the lowest of the low covering their "made yet another dubious decision in the public's eyes
" backsides in a local authority "housing repairs" dept . I'm also deeply cynical .I'll grant you, it's all messed up - and focus has been, errm, lost
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