Highways Agency
Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers
Business Plan 2002 / 2003
Contents
- Foreword by the Chief Executive
- Network Map
- Chapter 1 - Setting the direction
- Chapter 2 - Customer focus
- Chapter 3 - Effective maintenance
- Chapter 4 - Easing congestion
- Chapter 5 - Safety
- Chapter 6 - Better information
- Chapter 7 - Environment
- Chapter 8 - Modernising the Highways Agency
- Annexes
- Agency offices - location map
- Government office regions - Business Plans & National Business Plan Summary
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Foreword by the Chief Executive
This Plan sets out how the Highways Agency will contribute to improving England's transportation system over the next three years. The road network for which the Agency is responsible is the vital backbone for the country's economic and social life.
The Agency aims to provide road users with safe and reliable journeys. That means ensuring the right level of investment to keep its roads well maintained and safe to use, and it means investing in improvements to the network, on large and small schemes, to ease congestion and improve safety. The Agency also has a responsibility to ensure that the impact of its network on the environment is kept to a minimum. This plan sets out important areas of investment in noise mitigation and environmental management aimed at achieving this.
This Plan covers years 2 to 4 of the Government's 10 Year Plan for transport. That Plan provides for investment of some £21 billion in England's strategic roads. The 10 Year Plan included spending £1 billion on progressing the delivery of the 51 major road schemes in our programme and some £2.2 billion on maintaining the network, over the next three years.
The Agency's Corporate Plan published in March 2001 described how it plans to provide a better, more modern public service to our customers over the next five years. Key developments next year will be in implementing the Agency's new procurement strategy, developing a new communications strategy, implementing the first phases of its new estate strategy and continuing to focus on developing its staff in the right roles and with the right skills to deliver a modern public service.
Improving the performance of this major road network will make a real difference to the lives of many individuals and communities. It will also contribute to the country's economic development. This Plan sets out the steps the Agency is taking to deliver these improvements.
Tim Matthews
Chief Executive
Network Map
The Agency's strategic road network is divided into 70% 'core' roads (linking the major centres of population, ports and air & rail terminals) and 30% 'non-core' roads (which carry more local traffic).
Negotiations are being undertaken to transfer responsibility for non-core roads to local highway authorities, other than those affected by major schemes, by the end of 2003/04 with the majority (some 1,300 km) proposed for transfer in 2002/03.
Chapter 1 - Setting the direction
The Highways Agency's network
The Highways Agency is responsible for maintaining, operating and improving a strategic road network of about 9,400km (5,841 miles - this assumes that 445 km of the existing network is de-trunked by 31 March 2002) of motorways and trunk roads in England ('the network'). This network carries a third of all road traffic and two-thirds of all freight traffic, totalling around 153 billion kilometres travelled each year (Source: Transport Statistics Great Britain 2001 - 10 year average between 1990 and 2000). The Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR).
The Agency's priorities are to:
- Continue to maintain the network in good condition to ensure that it is safe and available for use
- Maximise performance from the existing network
- Improve the network where necessary
The network operator role
The Agency's role as a network operator is to act both as an asset manager and a traffic manager. This enables the Agency to deliver a service that supports the DTLR objective of providing a reliable, safe and integrated transport system that respects the environment.
Asset manager
The strategic road network is the single largest Government asset (Source: H M Treasury National Asset Register July 2001), currently valued at an estimated £60 billion . The asset manager role ensures that this significant asset is maintained to a sufficient level to ensure it is safe and available for use and where necessary is improved through the delivery of new road schemes. In carrying out this role, the Agency manages its road works to minimise congestion, mitigate the impact of the network on the natural and built environment and ensure value for money.
Traffic manager
As a traffic manager, the Agency is looking to influence and actively manage the use of the network. To influence the use of the network, the Agency is developing ways to provide up-to-date information directly to road users to help them make informed choices about their journeys. It will mean working with other transport sectors to ensure further transport integration and, where appropriate, to encourage the use of other modes of transport. This role also includes the Agency's contribution to the local and regional planning process to secure an effective balance between land use planning and pressures on the network.
To actively manage the use of the network, the Agency will take a more proactive approach to incident management, continue to manage its road works to minimise inconvenience to road users and use new techniques to control access and speed. This role will require the strengthening of working relationships with partners such as the police.
The 10 Year Plan
The Agency's remit has widened from delivering outputs to delivering outcomes, as set out in the Government's 10 Year Plan for transport, published in July 2000. As a network operator, the Agency has a major part to play in delivering the plan and contributing to the outcomes of easing congestion, providing effective maintenance, safer travel, better information, smarter roads, quieter roads and delivering in partnership (Taken from Strategic Roads 2010: Highways Agency 10 Year National Roads Strategy, published October 2000. Milestones from this document are listed in Annex A4.). The Agency will begin to deliver these outcomes through the programmes described in this Business Plan. To achieve this, the Agency will harness partnerships, consult and communicate with our customers and implement the results from its extensive programme of research and development. It will also continue to make use of the latest scientific, technological and engineering developments.
The Agency's contribution to Europe
The Agency is recognised as a world leader in the roads sector, representing the Government's interests in Europe and building good working relationships with other road administrations. The Agency is a member of the Western European Road Directors group. These activities help to promote the value of UK knowledge, expertise and practices across Europe. The Agency represents the UK on a number of EU committees producing road product standards and supports joint EU-sponsored research programmes.
The Agency also provides advice on proposals for new EU Directives, which are likely to affect all highway authorities. These include the 2001 Directive on strategic environmental appraisal and the proposed Directive on the mapping of ambient noise. These are aimed at delivering better service to drivers whilst meeting noise mitigation objectives, through sharing best practice and introducing harmonised standards where these will benefit road users. Examples include the development of European guidance on the operation of tunnels, harmonisation of signing and the development of new systems for giving information to drivers, either via car radios, by roadside equipment, or in the future by using in-car systems.
Resources
The Government's spending review 2000 gave the Agency a projected increase in programme budgets from £1.53 billion in 2001/02 to £1.68 billion in 2002/03. The next spending review, due to be concluded early in the summer of 2002, will agree funding through to 2005/06.
How are the Agency's targets set?
Challenging but achievable targets are agreed with central DTLR and ministers to ensure that the Agency is held to account for its performance in a number of key areas. In future, targets will increasingly move away from monitoring delivery of outputs (e.g. schemes) to monitoring improvements in service and delivery of the 10 Year Plan outcomes. Performance against these targets is reported to Parliament in the Agency's Annual Report.
Programme & administration budget 2002/03
Chapter 2 - Customer focus
Where the Agency is now
Meeting customers' needs
The network provides a vital service to commerce and industry, but it also has a huge impact on the lives of the public. The Agency has a wide range of customers including road users, those who live alongside the network or are affected by it, the Agency's contractors and suppliers and its partners and stakeholders. It values their views and is continually seeking ways to consult and work with them to identify key issues.
Where the Agency is now
The Agency publishes and regularly updates a Road Users' Charter (see Annex A7), setting out its standards of service on the network and carries out regular road user satisfaction surveys. These help the Agency to keep up-to-date with the opinions and priorities of road user customers and identify areas for improvement. Local area managers also keep in contact with customers through meetings, correspondence, and by publishing leaflets. The Agency also produces a leaflet explaining its complaints procedure.
There is regular consultation at national and regional level with road user and environment committees. The Agency also consults with local authorities both on an informal basis, and more formally as part of the planning process to co-ordinate works on both the strategic and local road networks. The Road Users' Charter sets out standards of service on the network
Where the Agency wants to be by 2004/05
The Agency is committed to providing a better service. It will continue to be more responsive to customers (see chapter 8, 'Modernising the Agency') and work to keep customers better informed, for example through the Traffic Control Centre (see chapter 6, 'Better Information'). A new Road Users' Charter will be published by March 2004, updating the Agency's standards of service.
What the Agency will deliver in 2002/03
The Agency will continue to consult and meet with its customers at national and regional level (through road user and environment committees and other groups) to seek their views and identify their priorities.
The Agency will continue to develop route management strategies for the core network.
The Agency will also continue to meet the Whitehall standards listed in Annex A8. These are Cabinet Office standards for responding to customers, consulting users and dealing with complaints.
How performance will be measured
The Agency will carry out a new road user satisfaction survey during 2002. This will measure the level of satisfaction with the services provided by the Agency across a wide range of business and private road users. The results of the survey will be published by March 2003.
Route management strategies
The Agency is currently developing route management strategies for its network. These describe how the network is performing and set out priorities for maintaining, operating and improving each route over a period of about 10 years. At key points there is consultation with road users, local authorities and other groups.
Chapter 3 - Effective maintenance
Where the Agency is now
10 Year Plan related outcome:
Road condition maintained to a high standard, so that the proportion requiring maintenance in any future year is held at an optimum level (between 7% and 8%). This is also the Agency's Public Service Agreement target.
Maintaining the network so that it is safe and available for use is the Agency's top priority and it is a world leader in this area. Surveys confirm that the network is already in good condition and the Agency is working to ensure it stays that way.
Where the Agency is now
Regular inspections and surveys are carried out to keep the network safe and identify where maintenance work is required. Techniques include the use of specially equipped vehicles that can survey the network as they drive along it. Computerised systems use this information to help improve the planning and targeting of maintenance and balance the costs of carrying out works against the delays to road users. To keep disruption to a minimum, wherever possible road works are undertaken outside peak hours. The Agency is also moving towards using single supplier contracts in fewer and larger areas to provide maintenance.
Whenever a road is resurfaced or a new one constructed, low noise surfaces are used wherever possible. The target in the 10 Year Plan is to resurface 60% of the network in lower noise materials by 2010 (see chapter 7, 'Environment').
Where the Agency wants to be by 2004/05
The Agency will look for ways to improve maintenance activities and provide value for money. Examples are the increasing use of technology such as ultrasonic, infrared and radar surveys to help predict when bridge maintenance is required.
The Agency also has an ongoing programme of research to develop new maintenance techniques and investigate and monitor the use of new materials. These include the use of low-cost, durable, fibre-reinforced resins for bridge repairs and re-cycled materials such as rubber, glass and aggregates for re-surfacing roads.
Delays caused by road works will be kept to a minimum by the development of new techniques to manage traffic and through improving the information provided to users. This will include new techniques for improving the signing of road works, the increased use of electronic road signs, the internet and the media (see chapter 6, 'Better Information'). These will help users to plan their journeys better so as to avoid road works where appropriate.
What the Agency will deliver in 2002/03
- The Agency will continue to invest in the network to keep it safe, well-maintained and available for use, whilst minimising any delays caused by road works.
- Information for road users will be improved; the fortnightly lane closure bulletin on the Agency website will be replaced by a new system, updated on a daily basis. A new scheme-based costing system will be introduced which will predict more accurately when maintenance is needed.
How performance will be measured
How performance will be measured in 2002/03
The Performance Indicators set for the Agency by the Secretary of State are:
Indicator: The estimated proportion of the network likely to require maintenance in the next year.
Target: In order to deliver best value for money, maintain the network so that the proportion requiring maintenance within the next year is held between 7 and 8 %.
Indicator: Road User Charter standard for network availability
Targets: 98% of lanes available at all times(e.g. through keeping the maximum number of lanes open when carrying out routine works). 90% of routine maintenance works carried out outside of peak hours (Peak hours are set for each area and adjusted to take account of major events and holiday traffic).
Keeping up the standard
Maintenance includes a wide range of activities. These range from major reconstruction of roads, structures, resurfacing, assessing and repairing bridges, to the everyday upkeep of the network such as clearing litter and debris where necessary, cleaning road signs, servicing emergency roadside telephones, repairing road lighting and salting the roads before ice and snow are expected.
What is an 'optimum level' of maintenance?
Maintaining the network in a safe condition whilst minimising costs over time, disruption to road users and others, and the impact on the environment.
Chapter 4 - Easing congestion
Where the Agency wants to be by 2004/05
The Agency needs to have made progress towards stemming the increase in congestion caused by rising traffic levels, if the 5% reduction is to be achieved by 2010. This will be achieved by:
- minimising delays due to maintenance works - through the use of traffic management techniques, better planning and by carrying out maintenance at less busy times.
- if techniques such as ramp metering are successful, extend these to other parts of the network.
- using the Agency's new traffic control centre, which will be operational by March 2004, to provide a single focus for managing traffic, monitoring the network and providing information.
- begin the use of Active Traffic Management (ATM) on the M42 (see section at the end of this chapter).
- extending existing techniques such as CCTV cameras to allow accidents to be cleared more quickly.
- delivering automatic hold-up warning systems on the most congested lengths of motorways, to provide early warning, via variable message signs (VMS), of the build-up of traffic.
- delivering large scale improvements to ease congestion from the major schemes programme with 26 schemes expected to be open to traffic by March 2005.
- completing an extensive programme of smaller scale local schemes.
- delivering projects from the Agency's research programme as part of the DTLR initiative to improve driver, vehicle and road interaction.
What the Agency will deliver in 2002/03
Managing traffic
- Install automatic hold-up warning systems on a further 200km of motorway. This will result in over 430km of motorway (15%) being covered by these systems by the end of 2002/03.
- Evaluating the benefits of ramp metering/access management on the M27 and start a further trial on the M6 near Birmingham.
- Extending the controlled motorway system on the M25.
Managing the asset
- Complete maintenance works whilst causing minimum disruption to road users.
Improvement schemes
- Deliver at least 48 of 51 major scheme milestones.
- Complete the programme of early action schemes aimed at tackling congestion.
- Actively participate in the ongoing multi-modal studies and road-based studies.
How performance will be measured
The Performance Indicators set for the Agency by the Secretary of State are:
Indicator: Number of congestion early action schemes completed.
Target: Complete the remaining schemes in the programme.
Indicator: Automatic hold up warning systems installed.
Target: Install automatic hold up warning systems on at least 200km of motorway length.
Indicator: Number of major scheme milestones achieved.
Target: Achieve at least 48 of 51 major scheme milestones (comprising 50 TPI schemes plus the A2/M2 Cobham to J4 widening scheme approved in the Accelerated Roads Review - see Annex A6 for list).
Active traffic management (ATM)
The Agency is to begin the use of Active Traffic Management (ATM) on the M42, starting in 2004. ATM will provide the technology and equipment to enable different traffic management techniques to be used, depending on road conditions and volume of traffic. ATM builds on a successful stream of HA research into motorway traffic control. The key to ATM's success will be close co-operation between the Agency and police on incident and traffic management.
Major schemes expected to be completed during 2002/03
- A1 Willowburn-Denwick
- A6 Great Glen Bypass
- A43 Silverstone Bypass
- A43 Whitfield Turn-Brackley Hatch Improvement
- A43 M40-B4031 Dualling
- A27 Polegate Bypass
- A66 Stainburn & Great Clifton Bypass
- A11 Roudham Heath-Attleborough Improvement
Chapter 5 - Safety
Where the Agency is now
10 Year Plan related outcome:
A one-third reduction on the strategic road network by 2010 of the number of people killed or seriously injured and a 10% reduction in the slight casualty rate.
Where the Agency is now
The Agency's network has an excellent safety record, and is one of the safest in the world (Transport Statistics Great Britain 2001 Edition & DTLR Statistics Branch). It is improving on this record by contributing to the Government's challenging accident reduction targets and has also set up a team to improve safety for the Agency's contractors and staff carrying out work on the network. The Agency works closely on safety education with a wide range of partners including the police and other public bodies to increase road safety awareness and encourage safer driving behaviour.
The majority of accidents on the network are related to speed (TRL Report 323: "A new system for recording contributory factors in road accidents"). Tackling these involves a combination of measures including:
- small-scale local safety schemes, including junction improvements, traffic-calming measures and better lighting.
- keeping the road well maintained, including the use of skid resistant road surfaces and 'rumble strips'.
- use of technology such as queue detection systems and electronic message signing to give drivers advance warning of hazards ahead.
- electronic speed limit signs, which reduce speeds in bad weather and during congestion.
- working closely with the police to improve speed enforcement.
- carrying out major schemes, many of which will deliver significant safety benefits.
Although most casualties on the network are car drivers and their passengers (81%), the Agency is also working to improve safety for non-motorised users. Measures include:
- a programme of improved crossing points for pedestrians, including disabled users.
- improved facilities for cyclists, horse riders and other users.
The Agency also carries out research into the causes of accidents. This information is used to monitor the effectiveness of its safety schemes and identify ways to further improve safety for all road users.
Road Deaths per 100,000 population in 1999
The causes of road accidents
In the majority of cases, road accidents are linked to driving at excessive or inappropriate speed and bad or inconsiderate driving. Other factors include driver fatigue, poor weather, and mechanical failure.
Where the Agency wants to be by 2004/05
The Agency is focused on achieving a reduction of 832 killed & seriously injured casualties (compared to the 1994/98 average) by 2004/05. This represents significant progress (40%) towards the target of a one-third reduction by 2010. The Agency also expects to have achieved almost 60% of its 10 Year Plan target of a 10% reduction in slight accidents.
The Agency will deliver these reductions by delivering the safety benefits associated with the major schemes programme, carrying out an extensive programme of small-scale safety schemes targeted at accident black spots, through better road design and by participating in driver education campaigns and schools safety initiatives. The Agency will also be carrying out extensive safety related research including:
- working with DTLR on their on-the-spot accident investigation project. Through working with the police and others to investigate causes of accidents from data collected at the scene, this project will identify ways to improve road scheme design, road and vehicle engineering and assist in developing driver education programmes.
- developing new systems to improve the safety on the hard shoulder of motorways of those who need to stop or carry out work on the network.
- looking at whether changes in the design of roundabouts could improve safety.
- completing a crossing point survey (e.g. of pedestrian bridges, subways and signalled crossings) and developing an action plan to improve these if necessary.
- working with others to develop safer, more sustainable school travel.
What the Agency will deliver in 2002/03
Early action schemes
Completion of the remaining schemes from the programme of safety early action schemes.
Local safety schemes
Deliver a programme of local safety schemes at sections of road or junctions where accident investigations have identified a problem.
Begin the installation of improved emergency telephones. These will offer improved facilities to all our customers and will include specific measures to make them easier to use by disabled road users.
How performance will be measured
The Performance Indicators set for the Agency by the Secretary of State are:
Indicator: Demonstrate progress towards achieving the safety targets for motorways and trunk roads set out in Strategic Roads 2010 (see Annex A4).
Targets: Reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on trunk roads in 2002/03 by at least 555 to 4436 (compared with the 1994-98 average of 4991).
Reduce the slight casualty rate to no more than 21.41 slight casualties per hundred million-vehicle km (compared with the 1994-98 average of 22.14)
In each case, to allow for expected year-to-year fluctuations in casualty levels, the Agency will be deemed to have met the target if the reduction achieved is no more than 5% above the milestone target figures.
Indicator: Number of safety early action schemes completed.
Target: Complete the remaining schemes in the programme.
Chapter 6 - Better information
Where the Agency is now
10 Year Plan related outcome:
Greater confidence for road users planning their journeys as a result of instant access to information about conditions on the network.
Where the Agency is now
The Agency currently provides a wide range of information to road users through its website and Information Line. This includes a fortnightly lane closure bulletin, details of schemes, information on the network, regional contacts and details of Agency and Government plans and initiatives. The Agency attends transport-related exhibitions, distributes leaflets and other publications, takes part in media events and works with the public and private sector to educate and inform the public. Its extensive network of electronic variable message signs feeds information to drivers as they use the network. The Agency is in the forefront in developing a common system of symbols for use on variable message signs across the European Union.
The Agency is also working to improve the information it provides whilst waiting for the Traffic Control Centre to come on line. An example is the Video Information Highway trial, launched in November 2001. Live pictures from CCTV cameras on the motorway network around Bristol are made available directly to the public through the media and travel service providers.
Where the Agency wants to be by 2004/05
The Agency will provide customers with more accurate, up-to-date information about the network, helping them plan their journeys before they set out and ensure they are kept up to date when they are on the road. It will achieve this by:
Ensuring information is available to users through Transport Direct or the TCC project (see section at the end of the chapter) and continuing research into the latest technology to collect and disseminate information.
By 2003, electronic variable message signs will be available at all major decision points on the network to suggest alternative routes if there is a problem.
The Agency will ensure that its systems can supply the necessary information to establish a Traffic Information Highway by 2003 to provide a common pool of data for use by the public and commercial service providers. The Agency will also increase and improve the quality of traffic information available on its website.
What the Agency will deliver in 2002/03
The Agency will be expanding its capability to provide real-time road traffic information and will consider the benefits of providing real-time traffic information through the use of 'web cams'.
There will be further improvements to the Agency website which will provide a channel for consultation with its customers and provide more information to travellers, including a new daily bulletin of road closures.
The Agency will continue to expand its network of CCTV cameras and variable message signs (VMS). It will also use a new design of VMS on the M4, using pictograms to warn of accidents, queues or other hazards. These are smaller and less intrusive than existing VMS and will be used in sensitive rural locations.
How performance will be measured
The performance indicators set for the Agency by the Secretary of State are:
Indicator: Outcome of the Road User Satisfaction Survey.
Target: Achieve an average score of no less than 7.5 on the Agency's Road User Satisfaction Survey (this is on a scale from 1-10 with 1 being extremely poor and 10 being extremely good).
Indicator & Target: Introduce a national HA Traffic Control Centre.
Highways Agency Information Line (HAIL) 08457 50 40 30
HAIL is open between 8am and 8pm on weekdays and from 9am to 5pm at weekend and on public holidays, with a pre-recorded information service being available out of hours. Nearly 120,000 calls have been received in the past two years.
The Traffic Control Centre (TCC)
The contract for this Private Finance project was awarded in March 2001. When fully operational by March 2004, the TCC will provide a state-of-the-art facility for providing traffic information throughout the Agency's network, direct to both the public, media and private sector organisations, as well as traffic management on the road. It will:
- Provide up-to-the-minute information on the network and traffic conditions.
- Provide up-to-date information, helping the Agency and police respond quickly to incidents.
- Operate public information services, including administering the Travel Information Highway internet-based information service.
- Support the Agency's activities in managing, maintaining and improving the network.
What is Transport Direct?
By 2003 Transport Direct will provide a comprehensive route planning service to the public, covering all modes of transport, conveyed in a variety of ways, including leaflets and the internet.
Chapter 7 - Environment
Where the Agency is now
10 Year Plan related outcomes:
A reduction in traffic noise benefiting three million people living within 600 metres of trunk roads.
A more effective roads programme, with better evaluation of needs and options, quicker delivery and lower impacts on the environment.
Where the Agency is now
The network can have a major effect on the quality of life of many of those who live close to it, as well as on the environment. The Agency is addressing these concerns.
Reducing Noise
It is estimated that three million people will benefit from the Agency's commitment to install quieter surfacing on over 60% (4,022 km/2,500 miles) of trunk roads by 2010. This includes the resurfacing of all concrete trunk roads, which are generally noisier than conventional surfaces, using materials and techniques developed from the Agency's ongoing programme of research in this area. Six per cent of the network is already covered with lower noise surfacing.
Other measures to reduce traffic noise include earthen mounds (known as 'bunds'), special acoustic barriers, installing double-glazing and noise insulation. In addition, there is a programme to treat noisy locations from a list presented to Parliament (known as 'Hansard' sites) where they meet specific criteria.
Protecting the environment
Balancing the needs of road users with the need for an environmentally sustainable road network continues to be a high priority, reflected in the Agency's environmental strategy published in 1999, which covers all aspects of the environment including heritage, landscape management, biodiversity and air quality. The Agency is second only to Forest Enterprise (formerly the Forestry Commission) as the largest planter of broad-leaved native trees in the country, with around 1 million planted each year. The Agency is active in supporting EU environmental initiatives and participates in a number of EU research projects.
Environmental measures include:
- Introducing improved environmental appraisal procedures.
- Active biodiversity management across 50% of the network.
- Publication of a biodiversity action plan for 15 priority species and habitats.
- Active landscape management across 75% of the network.
- Investigating drainage outfalls at 58 priority sites.
- Requiring contractors to meet environmental standards.
- Working with local authorities in support of the national air quality strategy. The Agency's measures to reduce congestion (see chapter 4, 'Easing Congestion') will also contribute to improving air quality.
Land and Property Management
Most major schemes involve acquiring land and property, for which compensation is paid. Most of the Agency's current lands work is either on completed schemes or pre-TPI schemes under construction, with only a small proportion related to the current major schemes programme.
The Agency owns around 600 houses, which have been acquired in advance of construction works. The Agency manages this portfolio to minimise the number of unoccupied houses, increase the rental income and safeguard the value of its properties. The Agency is looking to make more of its houses available to social landlords and key workers in areas of housing need and will work in partnership with social housing groups to achieve this. Where necessary, the vacancy targets will be adjusted to allow for any additional time needed to put these arrangements in place.
The Agency's environmental management plans
The Agency is working hard to implement comprehensive environmental management plans across its core network. These are:
Biodiversity: Sets out how the Agency will contribute to the UK's biodiversity strategy through the enhancement and protection of key habitats.
Cultural heritage: Sets out how the Agency will manage the impact of the network on sites of archaeological and historical interest. These plans will be trialled in 2002/03.
Air quality: Sets out how the Agency will contribute to local air quality initiatives where the network is implicated.
Further plans covering landscape/townscape are currently being developed.
Where the Agency wants to be by 2004/05
By 2004/05 the Agency will have:
- made substantial progress towards the quieter roads target with up to 25% of the network resurfaced with lower noise surfacing.
- started a programme of remedial works where justified to manage the impact of water running off the Agency's roads into watercourses.
- implemented an environmental management system (EMS) requiring contractors to meet its requirements or have an accredited EMS of their own and brought more of the network under active biodiversity and landscape management.
- begun to operate cultural heritage and townscape management plans.
- implemented the actions agreed with local authority partners as part of the Agency's contribution to local air quality management.
- made significant progress towards managing the core network in line with biodiversity action plans.
- increased the use of recycled aggregates, and other more sustainable materials.
- continued to meet its land and property-related targets and contributed to wider government objectives on social housing, biodiversity and heritage.
What the Agency will deliver in 2002/03
60% of the network will be brought under active biodiversity management, 85% under active landscape management. The Agency will respond to 95% of consultations on air quality where traffic on its network is implicated, and treat at least three of the sites identified in the list published in Hansard for noise. A trial of cultural heritage management plans will also be carried out.
How performance will be measured
The performance indicators set for the Agency by the Secretary of State are:
Indicator: % of the average annual target based on the environmental programme.
Target: Achieve an average of 95% across the four environmental sub-indicators:
- Air quality: The Agency will respond to 95% of consultations on local air quality plans in accordance with local authority review and assessment programme timescales.
- Biodiversity: The Agency will have 60% by length of the network under active biodiversity management by 31 March 2003.
- Landscape: The Agency will have 85% by length of the network under active landscape management by 31 March 2003.
- Noise: The Agency will treat at least a further three sites from the list published in Hansard on 11 November 1999.
Indicator: % of residential properties owned that are vacant.
Target: Not to exceed 15% of the residential portfolio.
Indicator: % of vacant habitable properties empty for more than six months at the end of the year.
Target: Not to exceed 3% of the residential portfolio.
Chapter 8 - Modernising the Highways Agency
Where the Agency is now
Changing and developing the organisation to deliver a better service
Last year the Agency published its first Corporate Plan. This set out how the Agency will deliver a better service to its customers over the next three to five years and is underpinned by the Agency's commitment to the wider public service objectives of the 'Modernising Government' White Paper.
The Agency is committed to a major programme of change, which will focus on people, processes and tools to deliver improved service as well as technical excellence.
Where the Agency is now
The improvements the Agency has made to its business over the last few years have put it in a strong position to meet this challenge. The Agency is more aware than ever of its customers needs and is constantly looking for better ways of addressing these, whilst maintaining its reputation for project sponsorship and technical quality. This was recognised by the Agency winning the 'Contract Journal' Client of the Year award in 2001.
The Agency's current structure provides a good basis for moving forward as a network operator. The recent establishment of the Operations, Network Strategy and Corporate Directorates has helped the Agency to focus on delivering its operational services, and give attention to strategic planning and development of the network.
Where the Agency wants to be by 2004/05
The Agency will develop as a network operator with a clear understanding of its customers' needs, sharpening its focus to deliver a high quality service across the network. The Agency will also have a greater regional presence, with most of its staff and functions located close to its customers, and equipped with the necessary skills to serve them.
The Agency will continue to work closely with regional planning bodies to support delivery of sustainable transport solutions. Through building longer-term relationships with its suppliers, the Agency will secure more efficient services whilst ensuring best value for money.
The Agency will fully exploit emerging new technologies, developing methods for using the latest technology to further improve the delivery of its services.
What the Agency will deliver in 2002/03
Managing the Agency's business:
A key project to kick-start the change programme will be the development and implementation of a new system for improved capture, management and usage of financial and business information to support better decision-making. The system will provide the Agency with the tools and processes needed to improve the management of its business and help to demonstrate the value of what it does.
The system will help the Agency to meet more efficiently and consistantly its prompt payment target of paying 98% of all invoices for the goods and services it receives within the terms of the relevant contract. If no terms are in force, then invoices will be paid within 30 days of receipt of goods and services.
Procurement:
The Agency currently procures 96% of its work from external suppliers. Previously the focus has been on asset procurement e.g. delivery of a new road. The new focus is for the Agency to procure an agreed level of service from its suppliers.
In 2002/03 the Agency will implement an innovative procurement strategy which follows best practice standards, and will:
- develop ways to let contracts more quickly and speed up delivery of schemes on the ground. This includes speeding up the process for delivering uncontroversial schemes, public consultation at an earlier stage, using the same company to design and build the scheme and streamlining the tendering process.
- extend the use of new forms of contract to deliver best value and to help address the potential skills shortage in the industry.
- develop relationships with suppliers through its new supply chain management team to ensure transparency and consistency in the identification of suppliers who can deliver best value and maintain high standards of performance.
- measure its procurement performance and demonstrate continual improvement through registration with the Clients' Charter Scheme operated by the Confederation of Construction Clients.
- developing electronic procurement, tendering for contracts document and records management.
Communications:
The Agency has a wide range of customers, from the public, business users and road hauliers to its contractors and suppliers. The Agency will improve the ways in which it communicates with all of these customers, moving its functions and staff closer to them, keeping them informed on the current state of the network and letting them know how the Agency's forward planning is likely to affect them. To do this, the Agency will:
- implement a new Communications Strategy to provide a more effective and better planned approach to communications with its customers.
- train front-line staff to give them the communications skills needed to deliver this strategy.
- develop and build effective communication channels with local customers via new regional communications managers.
- migrate key functions and staff from London to existing regional locations to work more closely with customers, suppliers and stakeholders.
Delivering in partnership
The Agency cannot deliver its targets in isolation. It needs to work closely with partners from both the public and private sectors to do this. During 2002/03 the Agency will:
- develop new forms of contract for Public Private Partnerships (PPP). These will contribute to meeting the 10 Year Plan target of delivering 25% of funding for current and new major schemes through private finance by the end of 2010.
- support safety initiatives (e.g. safety education programmes).
- contribute to multi-modal studies.
- liaise with industry to develop solutions to traffic problems.
Using new technology
The Agency is looking to use the latest technology to improve the way it carries out its business and delivers services to its customers. Examples include the implementation of an electronic document and records management system by the end of 2003, introduction of E-tendering and implementation of the Traffic Control Centre (see chapter 4, 'Easing Congestion').
Risk management
In order to develop existing arrangements for managing risks incurred in delivering the business and to encourage a culture of innovation, the Agency will continue to implement its risk management strategy during 2002/03.
Equipping staff with the necessary skills
To deliver this Business Plan and implement the Corporate Plan, it is vital that the skills of the Agency's staff are kept fully up to date, so that they maintain and improve the delivery of customer service in an ever-changing environment. This is especially important as functions and staff continue to be migrated from London to regional centres by September 2003.
The role of network operator and the need to develop improved partnerships will require new skills, with less reliance on traditional engineering and project management skills, and more reliance on procurement, contract and business management and communication skills. Key activities in 2002/03 will be:
- strengthening the performance management/appraisal system to ensure smarter, individual objectives linked to wider business objectives and increased emphasis on personal development.
- introduction of clear management competencies which, along with a range of development initiatives, will provide stronger leadership.
- an extended range of centrally provided development and training courses and activities, building on previous success, to support new skills' acquisition.
- implementing new recruitment and selection procedures to ensure the appointment of the right people more quickly.
- instituting a rolling programme of health-checks to ensure the Agency maintains its Investors in People accreditation.
Annexes
- A1 - Ministerial targets 2002/03
- A2 - The Agency's eight key objectives
- A3 - Highways Agency organisation
- A4 - 10 Year Plan targets from Strategic Roads 2010
- A5 - 2002/03 Resource budget
- A6 - Major schemes map/major schemes programme
- A7 - Road User's Charter
- A8 - Whitehall standards
- Office Locations
Agency offices - location map
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Government office regions
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