Traffic scheme 'increased jams'
THE controversy over the Woodseats traffic scheme re-erupted this week as it was revealed £4m was spent on congestion-busting measures that actually increased jams.
In the wake of an independent report, ruling Liberal Democrats criticised political opponents and council officers over the project, which was completed in 2006.
The furore is increasing speculation that the council's highways department - under pressure to step up its performance - could effectively be privatised.
The Woodseats project has long been contentious, with officers backing the introduction of bus lanes and other measures with a view to easing congestion and making it safer for pedestrians to cross the busy A61 and for motorists to park.
It emerged that changes had the opposite effect, leading to complaints from residents, motorists and traders.
The authority has since been forced to embark on a further redesign, which has cost 660,000, with further changes still a possibility.
Coun Ian Auckland, the council's current cabinet member for transport, described what had happened as "a nightmare" and said staff had faced an investigation.
He placed some of the blame at the door of the previous Labour administration but said much of the responsibility must be borne by officers. "At the time there was a 'Town Hall knows best' mentality and that was not challenged by anyone. The scheme was fatally flawed from the start but nobody listened. I live in the area and I am a ward councillor and before work even started residents said aspects of the scheme would never work. Not a blind bit of notice was taken.
"As a custodian of public money it aggrieves me greatly that more good money is now having to be spent to put this right. It's inexplicable how the original scheme went ahead."
An independent review into the scheme was ordered by the Liberal Democrats when they took power in 2008, after officers refused to accept that their measures didn't work.
The report concludes that while some of the scheme's aspirations, including making the area safer for pedestrians, were achieved, the primary objective was not.
It says the scheme has "failed to achieve the expected reduction in journey times and the improvements to traffic flows" and adds: "It cannot be stated that the scheme has delivered good value for money."
Coun Auckland said the report, compiled by traffic experts AECOM in conjunction with the Highways Agency and local residents, should act as a "wake-up call" to council highways officers.
He added: "They refused point blank to accept that it was not working. Officers continually said journey times were improving but this report proves they were not."
The inquiry is part of a more wide-ranging review of the council's transport section which was ordered by council leader Paul Scriven last year.
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Political leaders said they were unhappy with the way transport officers were carrying out their work last September, leading to the intense scrutiny.
At the time Coun Scriven threatened to outsource all the department's work unless "significant improvements" were made in its performance in a short period of time.
The full results of the internal review of the transport department's work and action to be taken will be published in the near future for approval by the council's ruling cabinet.
Coun Ian Auckland
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Friday 25 May 2012
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