M25 scheme 'may have wasted £1bn'

A project to widen two stretches of the UK's busiest motorway could have wasted £1bn of public money, MPs have said.

The Highways Agency gave poor cost estimates for the M25 scheme and did not look at possible cheaper alternatives, the public accounts committee found.

The MPs also questioned why it had taken nine years to sign a contract with a private company to do the work. But the agency said the project was progressing on time and under budget. It covers 22 miles (35km) between junction 16 and junction 23 of the M25, in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex.

The agency's cost estimates for a 30-year, £3.4bn private finance contract for road-widening had been "poor", the committee said. It expressed concern that the invitation to tender for the contract had excluded "hard shoulder running", in which drivers are allowed to use the hard shoulder at peak times.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Highways Agency advice during exceptionally low temperatures

The Highways Agency have published this advice as very low temperatures and snow continue to affect the country.

'While the severe weather continues, road users are advised to take extra care because of the risk of ice forming on road surfaces. Despite the severe weather, all motorways are open, as are the vast majority of the other strategic roads we operate. Our winter fleet continues to lay salt and remove lying snow around the clock to keep these routes available for use.

However with exceptionally low temperatures forecast, the Highways Agency is advising drivers to take extra care because of the risk of ice forming on road surfaces. While salt is very effective at reducing the risk of ice formation, at very low temperatures there can still be a risk of black ice on road surfaces even when salt has been spread. Drivers are advised to pay particular care at locations where local conditions such as road gradients, bends or overhanging trees mean that there may be an increased risk of ice. There is still a need to drive with care, even after road surfaces have been treated.

While the severe weather continues, drivers are advised by the Highways Agency to check their route and the weather forecast before setting out, and to take extra care if they decide to travel where there is a risk of snow or ice. In the worst affected areas, if a journey is not essential, then road users should consider whether to delay setting out until local conditions improve.

Continuous salt treatment and snow ploughing is being carried out on the strategic road network in England. Where incidents have occurred, our traffic officers and maintenance teams are working with the Police to re-open routes as soon as it is safe to do so.

Road users who decide to travel are advised to check road conditions and the weather forecast for their planned route. Listen to travel bulletins on the radio and take a severe weather emergency kit including warm clothes, food, water, boots, a torch and spade for snow. When driving leave sufficient distance between vehicles so you can stop safely.'

To visit the Highways Agency website for advice and links to 'breaking news' items click here...

source: Highways Agency

Make time for winter - Highways Agency guide to driving in severe weather

The Highways Agency have issued this advice on driving in severe weather conditions:

Winter can be a busy time for everybody. Whether working, at school or on holiday, there's so much to remember. But whatever occupies your time this winter, don't get caught out when driving in severe weather. Don't just drive, prepare.

For a smoother journey check your vehicle is ready for winter. Regularly servicing and checking your vehicle is in good running order before setting out, will reduce your chances of breaking down on the road. It's worth making these checks regularly - and particularly before a long journey:

1. Check and replace the anti-freeze in the radiator 2. Make sure your lights are clean and check the bulbs 3. Ensure your windscreen is clean 4. Replace the battery if it's not reliable 5. Ensure your tyres are correctly inflated and replace them if the tread has reached the legal minimum.

Be a smarter driver - check traffic and weather updates. Before you set off it's worth taking a few minutes to make sure that there aren't any problems on your intended route. You can check for live updates as you travel too - but remember not to use your phone while driving:

1. Visit http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic/traffic.aspx 2. Check the weather at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ 3. Call the Highways Agency information line on 0300 123 5000 4. Tune into DAB Traffic Radio at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk/

Remember to take regular breaks from driving - tiredness and loss of concentration are major contributing factors to road accidents.

For more details on driving in severe weather conditions visit the Highways Agency Website by clicking here...

source: Highways Agency

Freezing weather shows no sign of letting up

The freezing weather shows no sign of letting up with more snow forecast for the rest of the week. Hundreds of schools are closed in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north-east of England.

The Local Government Association says councils have increased stockpiles of salt and grit but hundreds of motorists are trapped in their cars in Scotland. Gritting lorries servicing icy roads were attacked by youths in Londonderry on Sunday. The window of one vehicle was smashed and a number of roads in the Creggan and Gobnascale areas of the city went untreated as a result.

There were further heavy snowfalls in Scotland overnight and traffic is backed up for several miles on the A9 between Dunblane and Perth after several lorries jack-knifed. The M62 between junction 34 and junction 38 in West Yorkshire was described as "hazardous" while one of the main routes into the centre of Sheffield, the Parkway, was said to be "treacherous".

A Highways Agency spokesman said one lane of the eastbound M4 at the Severn Crossing had been closed as a precaution after ice started to form on the bridge.He said the road had now been reopened but added: "It is Monday morning and the advice that we issued last week still stands - be aware and be sensible. If the weather is bad, make sure you have got an emergency kit in the car and think about whether the journey is absolutely necessary."

BBC broadcast meteorologist Philip Avery warned plummeting temperatures overnight on Monday were likely to lead to icy roads in many places, while the strengthening winds will make it feel even colder. The UK has been experiencing the earliest widespread snowfall since 1993. Met Office severe weather warnings for icy roads - and snow in places - are effective across central and eastern Scotland and eastern parts of Northern Ireland. Warnings of heavy snow are also in place along the entire east coast of England, as well as in Cornwall, with more expected throughout Monday and Tuesday.

Mr Avery said the worst weather would be in central and eastern Scotland and north eastern England but added: "There is a likelihood of wind in the northern half of the British Isles picking up in strength leading to more significant drifting."

For some regions Monday's forecast is for a nicer day, he said, but he warned the biting winds would have an impact and make it feel colder. The Greater London area and Kent are at risk of snowfall from Tuesday, with the Met Office warning drifting snow could cause disruption to road and rail networks towards the end of the week.

For the full story from the BBC click here...

source: BBC

Empty on the Motorway?

The Highways Agency is calling on drivers to check their fuel levels before setting off on journeys after more than 15,000 drivers broke down on England’s motorways over a 12-month period after running out of fuel. Breaking down on the motorway causes disruption to journeys and road users can put themselves as well as other drivers at risk.

To reduce the inconvenience and also the hazards involved, the Agency, supported by the Driving Standards Agency, is calling on drivers to check their fuel levels before setting off on journeys.

The Driving Standards Agency’s Director for Safer Driving, Trevor Wedge, said: “Running out of fuel on a motorway can be a risky business. Stopping on the hard shoulder will place you and your passengers in a vulnerable situation that could be avoided.

Make sure you have plenty of fuel for your journey before driving on to a motorway and don't let the fuel in your tank run too low. Fill up well before the gauge reaches empty and before the warning light comes on."

View the full Highways Agency press release here...