Resourcing of Minor Works Schemes

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A decision made (14.03.08) to note the resourcing of minor works schemes.

Decision Reference: MD-T-2008-0021
Decision Summary Title :	Resourcing of Minor Works Schemes		Date of Decision Summary:	06 March 2008
Decision Summary Author:	Caroline Anderson Director of Transport		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:
Written Report Title :	Resourcing of Minor Works Schemes		Date of Written Report:	06 March 2008
Written Report Author:	Caroline Anderson Director of Transport Bob Baudains Manager – Traffic & Street Works		Written Report : Public or Exempt? (State clauses from Code of Practice booklet)	Public
Subject: Resourcing of Minor Works Schemes
Decision(s): The Minister: Noted the status of the schemes included in the 2007 minor works programme and, in particular, the significant number that have now been completed; Noted the lack of funding and limited specialist resource for TTS minor highways, traffic and safety improvement schemes for main roads and to provide advice on general transport policy; Instructed his officers to inform the Comite des Connetables and relevant Deputies that there are no funds available for listed schemes, or any other schemes or proposals, at present but that they will be advised should this position improve and that there are only limited specialist resources to provide traffic advice; and Approved the closure of capital vote C0303.
Reason(s) for Decision: There is currently no funding available to progress any schemes and only very limited specialist resource to provide traffic advice.
Resource Implications: There are no resource implications.
Action required: Inform the Comite des Connetables and relevant Deputies of this decision. Request the Treasury to close vote C0303.
Signature:		Position:
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):

Resourcing of Minor Works Schemes

TRANSPORT & TECHNICAL SERVICES

RESOURCING OF MINOR WORKS SCHEMES

Purpose of the Report

To inform the Minister of the work completed on the 2007 programme of TTS minor highways, traffic and safety improvement schemes and the lack of resources to continue the programme.

Background

Following the 2003 / 2004 Fundamental Spending Review, the revenue minor works budget, which had been used to fund improvement schemes, was cut in 2005. Since that date, minor improvements have been funded from the Minor Capital Budget C0303.

On 11 September 2006, the Minister met with the Comite des Connétables to discuss requests from parishes to carry out improvements to the network of main roads. Subsequently, on 5 April 2007 the Minister approved a prioritisation of minor highways, traffic and safety improvement schemes.

Discussion

A list showing the progress of the minor works programme is attached as an appendix to this report. It can be seen that a significant number of schemes have been completed. In particular, the programme of traffic signal upgrades is presently up to date but upgrading of some pelican crossings has had to be moved to 2009, subject to funding being available.

The use of the Minor Highway Improvement vote (C0303) for traffic signal refurbishments was not originally intended but a shortage of funds in other areas resulted in a decision to use C0303 for the “civils” element of some of the refurbishments, given that most of the planned refurbishments included improvements to junctions in the form of new pedestrian facilities. In addition, it was considered to be essential to maintain the existing infrastructure before allocating funds to new schemes. The signal equipment that has been replaced was several years older than the normal maximum service life.

Further funding to maintain a programme of signal upgrades for 2007 and 2008 is presently being sourced from the Highways Maintenance capital vote (C2674) but all other minor works schemes are on hold. The schemes in the agreed programme which are now unfunded are:

Central pedestrian refuge Island at Miladi Farm, Longueville Road (there is still an issue over the purchase of land for this scheme)
Part time 20mph speed limits at Primary Schools
Extension of La Rocque footpath (issue over land purchase also).

All of the “schemes to be studied” remain unfunded.

The Minister is reminded that this list was compiled in early 2007 from schemes put forward by Parishes. There is little doubt that there are now additional schemes that individual Parishes would like to progress.

In addition to the actual financial resources required to undertake such minor works schemes, the specialist traffic advice to plan and design such projects normally comes from the Transport Policy section within TTS. Furthermore, they provide advice to parishes, States members and other agencies on many varied transport policy issues especially speed limits. However, their priority over the past months has been the Waterfront proposals and there is now no spare resource to progress any of the minor works schemes or provide specialist advice. In addition, the Integrated Travel and Transport Plan must remain the next priority so that it can be lodged and debated.

Comments

The lack of financial and specialist resources to examine and progress these schemes or provide advice will undoubtedly be an issue for many of the Constables as they, generally, do not have such resources available to them. Furthermore, projects on States main roads require the Minister’s approval and he would want the department’s experts to provide comments on any such scheme.

The lack of funding will be an ongoing issue unless an alternative budget provision can be found. However, although the Waterfront development will require some ongoing transport input from the department, it will not be at the high level it is at present. For that reason, it is hoped that once the ITTP has been finalised, some resource will be available to progress the feasibility of some schemes and provide expert advice albeit that without financial resources, schemes cannot be implemented. When the specialist resources are available, the Minister will be requested to agree a prioritisation of schemes to be examined and this might require input from the Parishes as before.

The capital vote C0303 can now be closed as there are no funds remaining.

Recommendations

The Minister is recommended to:

Note the lack of financial and specialist resources for TTS minor highways, traffic and safety improvement schemes for main roads and to provide advice on general transport policy;
Instruct his officers to inform the Comite des Connétables and relevant Deputies that neither funds nor specialist advice for listed schemes, or any other schemes or proposals, is available at present but that they will be advised should this position improve; and
Approve the closure of capital vote C0303.

Reasons for Recommendations

There are currently no resources to progress these schemes so no further work can be undertaken.

Actions Required

Inform the Comite des Connétables and relevant Deputies of this decision.
Request the Treasury to close vote C0303.

Resource Implications

There are no resource implications.

Written by:	Bob Baudains / Caroline Anderson

Endorsed by:	Chris Sampson

Approved by:	John Richardson

Attachment: Appendix – Minor highways, traffic and safety improvement schemes.