Strategy to reduce traffic chaos

TOWN Hall chiefs have given their backing to work being carried out by traffic management officers which should ease congestion on the town’s roads.
The work is being carried out to enable the authority to demonstrate it is implementing and supporting requirements placed on it by the Government under the Traffic Management Act
Coun Alan Litton, (pictured) executive member for Environment Services, said the act gave the council new powers to tackle congestion and reduce disruption.
But it also placed new responsibilities on the council – including a requirement to ensure the movement of traffic on its road network and help with similar movement on road networks controlled by other authorities.
“Traffic” includes pedestrians and cyclists as well as motorised transport.
If a council was not seen to be carrying out its duties, the Government could intervene.
The council could, if it failed in its duties, suffer financial penalties and the Government could appoint an external traffic director.
Increased powers for the council give it more control over street works carried out by utilities companies – including the ability to issue fixed penalty notices to avoid costly court action when a utility company commits any offence relating to road works.
Warrington has already successfully issued a small number of fixed penalty notices.
Strategic director for Environment and Regeneration Andy Farrall commented: “I don’t think this will solve all our problems – but it will improve the situation greatly.”
The council believes improvements to urban traffic management control on the most congested routes in and out of Warrington have already produced significant reductions in levels of congestion.