Transport for London – Road Network Operations

							TRANSPORT FOR LONDON – STREET MANAGEMENT

PROPOSALS FOR JOINED UP WORKING WITH LONDON BOROUGHS.

1.    Introduction

1.1   Over the last six months a range of cost effectiveness measures have
      been introduced by TfL Street Management. While these primarily
      relate to operations on the TLRN, they have also shown that there are
      further potential cost effectiveness benefits from more joined up
      working between TfL and London Boroughs (and in some cases UK
      Mets and County Councils). There are also a further range of
      Streetscape and environmental issues where more joined up working
      would produce mutual benefits.

1.2   These opportunities and work areas are diverse although particularly
      relate to:-

         Individual cost effectiveness measures
         Streetscape and Environmental Management
         Limited Standardisation and Joint Procurement
         Sustainable Construction, recycling and materials reuse
         Winter maintenance and
         Signs and street nameplates
         Emergency Planning

1.3   A brief assessment of each of these areas, potential and proposals for
      beneficial joint working follows.

2.    Detailed Proposals

2.1   Contracts and Cost Effectiveness Measures

      Examination of current TfL contracts (Consultants and Contractors) has
      identified a range of opportunities for cost effectiveness measures
      which are being applied largely without service standard reductions. A
      significant proportion of these measures could be further extended via
      potential joint action with other Authorities or are areas where insights
      and information could beneficially be shared.

      Relevant measures include:-

         Cost effectiveness measures in relation to contracts
         Shared use of TfL/ Borough specialist contracts and suppliers
         Sharing of information on rates for equivalent work items
         Sharing of information on claims issues and experience
         Possible development of joint contract documents
         Sharing of information on contract cost saving measures
         Joint use of specialist resources to smooth peaks in demand
2.2   Streetscape and Environmental Management

      During June 2004 we distributed and commenced consultation with
      London Boroughs and other organisations on draft Streetscape
      Guidance programmed to be issued in final form in December 2004.
      The aim is to promote good streetscape design principles and to back
      this by providing training to engineers and urban designers involved in
      Streetscape throughout London.

      There is also an important secondary aim. This is to focus use of
      materials and street equipment (via limited standardisation – without
      stifling creativity) on those which are durable, maintainable and
      reasonably economic to procure. This also provides a basis for joint
      procurement (and potential bulk discounts) by TfL and Boroughs

      TfL also plans to introduce up to six pilot projects this financial year on
      the Red Route network with fully joined-up streetscape and
      environmental management measures developed in the light of the
      Gehl report principles and Streetscape Guidance. The pilot projects
      would be exemplar schemes that would set the standard for future
      action.

      Within the limits of funding the pilot projects would also aim to deliver
      comprehensive streetscape improvements. Also where possible TfL
      would also seek to develop with Boroughs for pilot areas, a joined up
      package of measures to improve environmental management and
      standards. Measures applied to the pilot areas could therefore also
      include supplementing action by the Boroughs on environmental
      management (on litter, pressure washing and fly tipping etc) and direct
      action on fly posting, graffiti, sign clutter, abandoned cars etc.

2.3   Limited Standardisation and Joint Procurement

      At present TfL, Boroughs and their Contractors are each individually
      procuring materials for road maintenance and construction including
      kerbs, surfacing materials, flags, signs, lighting columns and street
      furniture. With Borough agreement, EU procedures enabling joint
      procurement of higher volume items could be processed from which
      approach there is substantial cost reduction potential. This is
      envisaged via a Framework Contract from which TfL and Boroughs call
      off their requirements each having individual contractual arrangements
      with the relevant suppliers.

      For the medium term this could be extended to joint procurement of
      works and services contracts for road maintenance and capital
      renewal, similarly leading to expected overall price reductions.
2.4   Sustainable Construction – Recycling and Reuse of Materials

      TfL also wants to promote more sustainable methods, recycling and
      reuse of roads materials and to encourage choice of optimum durability
      materials, surfaces and street equipment. Arrangements are being
      developed for extended recycling and re-use of road construction
      materials including road base and surfacing materials, stone
      aggregates, bitumen and utilising recycled glass in footpath base
      construction etc. TfL are currently carrying out an investigation and
      review or recycled materials in road construction and maintenance.

      A number of London Boroughs are engaged in developing similar
      approaches and there are a number of opportunities for beneficial
      joined up working. These would include supply of ex road materials for
      recycling, use of recycled products and shared use of recycling
      equipment and facilities.

      It is proposed that TfL and the Boroughs aggregate and share
      information on this in the first instance and from that assess the further
      scope for joint working. This also ties in with the National Procurement
      Strategy which includes that local authorities should build sustainability
      into procurement strategies and contracts and use their buying power
      to stimulate innovation and markets.

2.5   Winter maintenance/Gritting and Salting

      The reasons for varying levels of response in adverse weather
      conditions across London are understood. There is however scope for
      joined up working with the opportunity to improve both overall
      responses and cost effectiveness. These opportunities include the
      following areas:-

      i.     Joint Procurement of Salt/Grit
             TfL and London Boroughs largely procure both salt/grit and
             spreading vehicles and equipment, individually (whether direct
             or via contract). It is proposed subject to Borough’s agreement
             to examine the scope for overall bulk procurement, with an
             expectation of cost reductions. This could include additional
             discounts from aggregating TfL/Boroughs equipment
             requirements.

      ii.    Joint Procurement – Weather Forecasting
             TfL and Boroughs are each obtaining separate weather
             forecasts at significant costs. It is proposed subject to Boroughs
             agreement to examine the option of aggregating these
             requirements and arranging for Boroughs to be rapidly informed
             of weather forecasts via the London Traffic Control Centre
             (LTCC).
      iii.   Bus Routes
             With Borough agreement it is proposed to review arrangements
             made by TfL and Boroughs for winter gritting of bus routes to
             assess the scope for more joined up working and mutual service
             standard benefits. The relative economics of new footway and
             gritting arrangements being introduced from this winter on
             sections of the TLRN, being carried out by Boroughs (where
             staff may not be able to work normally) is also proposed to be
             assessed.

2.6   Signs and Street Nameplates

      There is general agreement that greater consistency and better
      continuity of signing of secondary destinations is necessary,
      particularly were routes cross Borough boundaries. We plan to forward
      to each Borough details of all local destinations currently signed from
      the Primary Route Network. Boroughs will be asked to check their
      existing local direction signing for consistency with these details and to
      provide a schedule of deficiencies, from which estimated costs would
      be produced.

      Also good standard street naming and signing is both vital in
      emergency situations and also necessary to assist both visitors and
      deliveries to premises. There is also a congestion reduction factor
      from reduced vehicle “hunting”. However, some Boroughs have
      indicated that they do not have funds available to address deficiencies
      in street nameplate provision. We plan therefore to also ask each
      Borough to forward a list of street nameplate deficiencies with an
      estimate of the cost involved in putting this right.

2.7   Emergency Planning.

      Much upgrading of Emergency Planning is already taking place and
      there are already some arrangements for mutual aid between adjoining
      Boroughs. There remains however potential for further joint action
      between TfL and Boroughs. This would apply whether TfL and/or
      Boroughs are responding to meeting requirements from the Emergency
      Services or alternatively responding in the event of emergency
      conditions to maintain flows and accessibility on the road network,
      structures etc.

      We are currently supplementing TfL Emergency Response
      arrangements with information regarding resources and equipment
      which we could deploy in the event of emergencies. Such equipment
      would include loading equipment, excavating equipment,
      propping/shoring tackle and transport (in the event of demolished
      buildings, structures and material blocking the highway), emergency
      lighting equipment, portable generators etc, plus availability of
      specialist expertise e.g. structural engineering. Plus the response
      times by which we could deliver pre-determined quantities of
      equipment etc to London locations.

      Particularly in the case of the above items, specialist equipment,
      resources and expertise there would be benefits in sharing this
      information across TfL and London Boroughs. Also in examining the
      practical scope for wider joint use/sharing arrangements in emergency
      conditions.

3.    Summary Implementation Proposals

3.1   The aim is that the suggested areas for potential joint working outlined
      above in this report are implemented via existing delivery mechanisms.
      Also that they should be realistically approached on the basis that no
      new funding is available and rather for areas such as Streetscape
      Guidance the prime aim is to promote improvements by better design,
      standards and practice. Also however that there are significant cost
      effectiveness savings from joined up working and bulk procurement etc
      where resulting cost savings could be re-applied and in the case of
      Streetscape improving or extending individual projects.

3.2   This report outlines a number of areas with potential for more joined up
      working between TfL and London Boroughs. There are significant
      potential service standards and cost effectiveness benefits and it is
      proposed that Borough’s views are invited on these approaches.

3.3   Subject to a positive response from Borough’s and since these
      measures will require progressive joint introduction it is proposed to
      invite Boroughs to join TfL in Quarterly Street Management Liaison
      meetings. These would aim to both steer introduction of more joined
      up working and to encourage improved communication on Street
      Management related issues.



                                               Keith Ollier
                                               Director of Street Management
                                               Transport for London
                                                                     12.10.04