
Policy and legal background
As established under the 2004 Traffic Management Act, Leicestershire County Council (LCC) as the Local Highway Authority is responsible for managing the traffic using its road network. By effectively managing the transport system the LCC can provide more consistent, predictable and reliable journeys for the movement of people and goods. This helps to tackle congestion and environmental pollution and improves safety and accessibility for all road users.
LCC’s Network Management Plan explains the overarching policy and principles regarding how the authority will manage and maintain the highway network so that it delivers an effective transport system for the people and businesses of Leicestershire.
It describes how a holistic approach is taken to managing the operation, performance and development of the network (to disruption, delay, growth, road closures, events, parking etc.), based on a balanced risk-based approach. This includes consideration of the safety of stakeholders, customer expectations, network hierarchy, levels of use, travel demand, environmental impact, network condition and maintenance and available resources.
Network Coordination and the Role of the Highways Network Management Team
It is the role of the Network Management Team to liaise with the works promoters to ensure that the impacts of construction on businesses, the local community and highway users are fully considered and understood and any avoidable impacts are adequately mitigated before works are implemented.
Network coordination is primarily about dealing efficiently with the traffic using the network, both now and in the future, and the various activities that are causing or having the potential to cause congestion or disruption to the movement of traffic. This involves:
- Coordinating and facilitating the activities of street and road works promoters.
- Managing unplanned incidents, such as road accidents, emergency repairs, and severe weather events.
- Coordinating and managing planned events (e.g. race events, markets, and sporting events).
- Planning of temporary traffic management, including diversion routes.
A team of technicians, coordinators, and inspectors ensure that the above functions are delivered with parity and efficiency across the network.
Network management and effective communication
It is essential that scheme promoters develop a thorough understanding of their site and the surrounding area at the earliest design stage to determine the potential for significant impacts on the road network and residents during construction. This will ensure the preparation of a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) that is tailored for the location.
You can find out more about the council's network management service on the Leicestershire County Council website.