Roadworks
For a list of roadworks taking place in
Bedford over the next month, please view the following link:
ROADWORKS
BULLETIN
For up to date information on roadworks in
Bedford and the surrounding areas please click the following
link http://bedford.roadworks.org/
Roadworks Permitting Scheme
As a Highway Authority, Bedford Borough Council has a duty to
manage and control the increasing demand on their road network from
the travelling Public and businesses, who need roads for journeys
as well as the services located underneath.
As a way of managing this demand a number of Authorities are
working in collaboration to introduce a Permit Scheme within their
area to improve the coordination of works across their road
network.
Bedford Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council, Luton
Borough Council, and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council intend to
develop a common Permit Scheme,to be called the East of England
Permit Scheme (EEPS) to be applied on all the roads within their
control.
What is a Permit Scheme?
Part 3 of the Traffic Management Act provides the opportunity
for Bedford Borough Council, to make an application to the
Secretary of State for Transport to introduce a Permit Scheme.
Under a Permit Scheme, anyone intending to carry out works on
the road has to make an application to the Authority for a permit.
In addition, the Authority’s power to grant or refuse a permit, as
well as applying conditions to the timings and/or work activity, is
significantly increased. Through such capabilities, the Authority
operating a permit scheme will be able to coordinate and control
works on the road, with the aim to improve both the planning and
preparation of works.
What will the Permit Scheme give to the Road User?
The main purpose for the introduction of a scheme is to minimise
disruption from unnecessary or badly controlled road works. There
are many additional expected benefits to be achieved through more
effective control of road works, which include:
- improving journey times and reliability
for all our road users.
- reducing the congestion caused by road
works;
- improving the information available on
works, including advanced warning and duration;
- increasing the planning and control of
works to improve safety and reduce damage to the
road.
When will a Permit Scheme commence?
The collective group of authorities undertook
a formal consultation with key stakeholders, in 2011
An application to introduce the scheme
was submitted to the Secretary of State in December 2011.
It is hoped that approval for the Scheme will
be given by June 2012, with the Scheme commencing within the
Borough of Bedford in November 2012.
These timescales are subject to variation and
this webpage will be kept up-to-date with the progress of the East
of England Permit Scheme programme at each stage
Further Information
A copy of the latest version of the proposed scheme can be found
at www.hertsdirect.org/permits.
Any questions or comments relating to the proposed scheme or the
current Programme will be managed through Hertfordshire Highways
and can be sent to hertfordshire.highways@hertshighways.org.uk.