Adran yr Economi, Gwyddoniaeth a Thrafnidiaeth Department for Economy, Science and Transport Ein cyf/our ref ATISN 9906 S. Foster [email protected] 30 November 2015 Dear S. Foster Request for Information – ATISN 9906 I wrote to you on 9 November regarding your request for information regarding traffic management on trunk roads in Wales. On the matter of the appointed road work (Traffic Management) contractors and where they are currently deployed for both North and South Wales Trunk Road areas (namely the M4 and the A55), I can advise that in November, routine maintenance, inspection, emergency and improvement works for the Welsh Government on the A55 have included traffic management support provided by the following traffic management contractors: Amberon Penmaen Road, Morfa Conwy Conwy CBC Works Unit Mochdre Flintshire CC Works Unit Alltami Gwynedd Council Works Unit Cibyn, Caernarfon From time to time other traffic management contractors may operate on the trunk road network in respect of specific projects. The Welsh Government, as the Highway Authority organisation, has appointed three organisations to manage or enable the work normally undertaken on the A55, namely the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent (NMWTRA), the Welsh Transport Technology Consultant (WTTC) and UK Highways Ltd (DBFO Co). Cathays Park 2 Cardiff [email protected] CF10 3NQ www.gov.wales Rydym yn croesawu derbyn gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg. Byddwn yn ateb gohebiaeth a dderbynnir yn Gymraeg yn Gymraeg ac ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn arwain at oedi. We welcome receiving correspondence in Welsh. Any correspondence received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and corresponding in Welsh will not lead to a delay in responding The deployment of traffic management can vary on a day to day basis and within a day. Examples of road works deployments involving traffic management can be seen at http://www.traffic-wales.com/ or via the individual local authority street works information, for example see Conwy area at http://www.conwy.gov.uk/section.asp?cat=2790&Language=1 Other organisations with statutory powers sometimes deploy traffic management e.g. statutory utilities for electricity, gas etc. Traffic Management Contractors are appointed by way of the South Wales Trunk Road Agent (SWTRA) via Regional Framework Contracts and Service Delivery Agreements. For the Service Delivery Agreements on the M4, Monmouthshire County Council (M4 SSC to J34) and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (J34 – J49) undertake traffic management or appoint sector scheme accredited TM contractors. For the Regional Framework Contracts, Alun Griffiths Contractors (M4 SSC to J34) and CEMEX UK (J34 to J49) appoint sector scheme accredited TM contractors to undertake these services. You also asked if any of the contractors named above are authorised to conduct road closures and under what conditions, and if not what arrangements are in place to conduct the operations. Any planned road closures for works or routine maintenance purposes are subject to consultation / coordination with third parties affected by the proposed closure, such as Local Authorities and Emergency Services. The submission of a Temporary Traffic Order (TTRO) application by the Trunk Road Agents (TRA) to, and authorisation from Welsh Government (WG), is also required. Following approval of a TTRO by WG, the TRA will instruct the nominated contractor to implement the agreed road closure together with the appropriate agreed diversions. If the works are in relation to a planned emergency repair / works, then these may be subject to a temporary traffic order notice which still requires authorisation by WG, but can be approved in a shorter time frame subject to the emergency nature of the works. In the case of road closures for the management of incidents, such as in the case of a road traffic collision, these will be implemented by the Police or Traffic Officers under their powers and do not require a TTRO. The above contractors are not authorised to install closures for these types of incidents without specific instruction from the Police or the Welsh Government Traffic Officers. Authorisation of road closures and temporary speed limits implemented during lane closures on trunk roads is a Welsh Government function and there are processes to follow in creating published TTROs and notices under the Road Traffic Act 1984. Traffic Management Contractors are required to implement the requirements of the Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8, see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic- signs-manual and are also accredited to the National Highways Sector Scheme requirements: https://www.nqa.com/en-gb/certification/standards/hss Generally traffic management contractors act as sub-contractors to a main contractor undertaking works. On the matter of how we monitor the operational and legal compliance of above named contractors within the context of your request, I can advise that the Welsh Government, SWTRA, NMWTRA, WTTC, UK Highways, statutory utilities and the Police will monitor the day to day operational issues associated with traffic management contractors undertaking works. This includes, for example: monitoring by cctv and staff on the road; review of works programmes and plans; review of risk assessments and method statements; review of traffic management plans; review of contractor details including proof of competency; establishing liaison arrangements; and developing a TTRO and appropriate Streetworks requirements. Operational and legal compliance is monitored by both TRAs as part of the delegated authority provided by Welsh Government. All Traffic Management Contractors must be competent, with Sector Scheme Accreditation 12A and 12B in place. Risk Assessments and Work Method Statements will be provided to the SWTRA by the contractors. The TRAs will ensure that all temporary traffic orders and appropriate road space permits are in place prior to the commencement of works, and ensures that the contractor adheres to any specific measures requested so as minimise disruption to the road user. The traffic management installed for road closures is monitored by TRA staff such as Route Stewards, Traffic Officers and Control Room Operators Traffic Management Centres who will also provide sign support in advance of closures. On your fourth question, regarding auditable valid and current authorisation notices to cover all current ongoing main Trunk Road works and that of the past 12 months (since 3rd November 2014) for the M4 and the A55, I have assumed that you are referring to the TTROs raised in your second question. These can be found at: http://llyw.cymru/legislation/subordinate/localstat/temptraff1/?lang=en If you are dissatisfied with the Welsh Government’s handling of your request, you can ask for an internal review within 40 working days of the date of this response. Requests for an internal review should be addressed to the Welsh Government’s Freedom of Information Officer at: Information Rights Unit, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ or [email protected] Please remember to quote the ATISN reference number above. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. However, please note that the Commissioner will not normally investigate a complaint until it has been through our own internal review process. Yours sincerely James Gibson Team Leader Ops and Maintenance .