Gateshead Network Management Plan

1.1 Gateshead's road network is essential for the economy of the area and the quality of life for residents and visitors. Its effective management and maintenance have an impact on activity of all kinds, from day to day journeys to work, school, shopping or leisure through to the needs of the emergency services and road freight.

1.2 Gateshead Council is the local highway, traffic and street authority and has a legal responsibility for all highways within the borough with the exceptions of the A1 and A194(M) which are governed by National Highways (formerly Highways England).

1.3 This Network Management Plan (NMP) is a key document in managing the road network to ensure a thriving Gateshead, with a transport system which is safe and allows for growth and prosperity 

2.1 The borough of Gateshead is recognised for its architecture including The Glasshouse, the Angel of The North, and Gateshead Millennium Bridge and is located at the centre of the North East of England area known as Tyne and Wear. The borough has boundaries with Newcastle, South Tyneside, Durham, Northumberland, and Sunderland Councils.

2.2 The borough covers an area of 142 square kilometres and has a population of approximately 120,000. Gateshead has a variety of landscapes including urban in the town itself, Whickham and Blaydon in the East, with more semi-rural and rural locations in the West including Ryton and Rowlands Gill. 

2.3 Gateshead is key to regional transport network sitting almost at the centre of the region and providing strategic links to and from other networks of the region

2.4 There is a comprehensive bus network throughout the borough and two major transport interchanges at Heworth and Gateshead town centre.

2.5 The borough also forms an important part of the national and regional cycle network with national routes NCN 14, 141, 725 and Regional route 11. It also has important local cycle routes linking to Newcastle, South Tyneside, Northumberland, Sunderland and Durham.

2.6 The Tyne and Wear metro rapid transit system provides links to the surrounding authorities and has five stations of which two are bus interchanges while Heworth links to heavy rail services.

2.7 While Gateshead doesn't have a railway station on the East coast line it does have important local railway stations in the West of the borough including the Metrocentre and Blaydon.

3.1 A well-managed transport system must be flexible enough to deal with changes to the way that people travel. It must also be able to deal with future challenges so that it can continue to support the economy.

The Government recognises the importance of a well-managed transport system to traffic authorities to secure the expeditious movement of traffic on their road networks and to assist adjacent highway authorities to do the same. It also establishes the requirement for all highway authorities to appoint a Traffic Manager. 

There are three documents fundamental to the performance of the Duty:

• Traffic Management Act 2004 (opens new window)
• Network Management Duty Guidance (NMDG)
• Traffic Management Guidance on Intervention Criteria (opens new window)

Other relevant legislation includes:

• Local Traffic Authority Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 section 121A (opens new window)
• Local Highway Authority: Highways Act 1980 Section 1 (opens new window)
• Street Authority: New Road and Street \Works Act 1991 Section 49 (opens new window)

3.2 The Traffic Management Act 2004 (TMA) Section 16, Part 1- The objective of the Duty is the efficient operation of the Road Network as a whole as such the Traffic Manager provides a focus within the authority for performance of the duty and the champions the need for the authority to consider the Duty in all areas of work Section 16 (1)- sets out the requirements of the duty as being:-

it is the duty of a local traffic authority to manage their road network with a view to achieving, as far as may be reasonably practicable having regard to their other obligations, policies and following objectives:
(a)    Securing the expeditious movement of traffic on the authority's road network; and 
(b)    Facilitating the expeditious movement of traffic on road networks for which another authority is the traffic authority.

Section 16 (2)- states 'the action which the authority may take in performing that duty includes, in particular, any action which they consider will contribute to securing:

(a)    The more efficient use of their road network; or
(b)    The avoidance, elimination or reduction of road congestion or other disruption to the movement of traffic on their road network or a road network for which another authority Is the traffic authority; and may involve the exercise of any power to regulate or coordinate the uses made of any road (or part of a road) in the road network (whether or not the power was conferred on them in their capacity as a traffic authority)'

The TMA specifically states that the term 'traffic' includes pedestrians and so the duty requires the LTA to consider the movement of all road users including pedestrians, as well as motorised vehicles. 

3.3 The Network Management duty is part of the Traffic Management Act 2004. It applies to all local traffic authorities. The duty came into force on 5  January 2005: the duty recognises: 

• The importance of managing and operating the road network
• The importance of optimising benefits for all road users 
• The needs of those who maintain the infrastructure (both of the network itself and of the services within it)

As stated there are three documents fundamental to the performance of duty:

• The Traffic Management Act (TMA) 2004;
• Network Management Duty Guidance (NMDG)
• Traffic Management Guidance on Intervention Criteria

The arrangements for performing the Network Management duty include:

• Taking any action that we consider will contribute to recurring more efficient use of the road network
• Take any action that we consider will avoid, eliminate or reduce road congestion or other disruption to the movement of traffic 
• Establishing processes for identifying things which are (or could) cause road congestion or other disruption to the movement of traffic
• Considering possible actions that could be taken to address congestion or disruption 
• Ensuring that specific policies or objectives are determined for different roads or classes of roads
• Monitoring the effectiveness of the organisation and process for tackling congestion and the implementation of decisions 
• Regularly assessing the performance of the duty and keeping the effectiveness of arrangements that have been put in place under review.

The Department for Transport (DFT) issued guidance in November 2004, which outlines the highway authority's obligations under the duty. This includes:

• The scope of the duty (main issues and considerations)
• Advice on the broad principles of network management 
• Good practice advice

The TMA specifically states that the term 'traffic' includes pedestrians and so the duty requires the LTA to consider the movement of all road users including pedestrians, as well as motorised vehicles. 

The DFT recognises that the network management duty is one element of an authority's transport activities and should complement other policies and actions. The local traffic authority should look to embed desired outcomes and appropriate policies and plans under the network management duty within the Local Transport Plans to achieve a coherent approach.

3.4 Appendix A identifies an Improvement Action Plan which demonstrates Gateshead Council's Plan to accommodate the Traffic Management Act and the Network Management guidance

4.1 The aim of the Gateshead Network Management Plan is to contribute towards improved quality of life for those who live and work in Gateshead, helping them thrive and thereby support growth of the local economy.

4.2 The Network Plan therefore identifies  key drivers for managing the network as follows:

• Accommodating essential service traffic 
• Managing street works 
• Managing incidents on the network
• Identifying the locations where congestion regularly occurs 
• Identifying different road types and sensitivities 
• Dealing with planned events
• Coordination and direction of highway works 
• Provision of information to road users 
• Working with partners and shareholders
• Enforcement of Traffic Regulations

4.3 A significant part of meeting the network management duty is the maintenance of the road network. Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP) sets out Gateshead's approach and will contribute to this objective.

5.1 Gateshead Council has extensive highway assets which include:

• 943 km of roads
• 1123 km of footways
• 2057 km of public rights of way
• Highway drainage gullies 
• Vehicle restraint systems (Safety fencing)
• Pedestrian guardrail
• Accessible crossings 
• 164 bridges/ culverts 

5.2 In addition to the Council maintained network, transport provision by other bodies has an impact on the management of the network such as:

• Motorways have a national significance,  and are the responsibility of National Highways (formerly Highways England) 
• Tyne and Wear metro rapid transit system
• Regionally significant bus stations at Gateshead town centre and Heworth 
• Rail stations toward Cumbria.
• Interface with Newcastle, Durham, Sunderland, Northumberland, South Tyneside road networks

5.3 The historical development of the road network means that the volume of traffic on any section is closely linked to the traffic capacity of that section. When the traffic volume exceed capacity, congestion starts to build up, increasing journey times and worsening air quality. Controlling, and preferably reducing this congestion is a major part of managing the network.

5.4  The legal framework that defines the network management duty has been outlined earlier in the plan and establishes the Network Manager as the responsible officer within the Council. On a day-to-day basis, elements of the network are under the control or influence of a number of Council functions and co-ordination of these is essential. 

5.5 Winter maintenance is managed via data from the Met Office to the current and neighbouring authorities to forecast the requirement for Winter Maintenance intervention.

5.6 The Council also produces an annual planned maintenance programme for work across the network. 

5.7 In compliance with the New Roads and Street Works Act, the Council maintains an electronic register of street works, whether carried out by the Council, Utility Companies or other Contractors. This information is published through the roadworks.org website maintained by Elgin on a nationwide basis.

5.8 The Urban Traffic Management and Control Centre covers the five districts of Tyne and Wear. It collects data from a range of electronic measuring systems on the highway including CCTV, number plate recognition systems and traffic signals. This data is fed into a single database making the monitoring of the whole network feasible. UTMC can also intervene in some areas by altering traffic signal timings and altering relevant agencies and the publishing of incidents through contacts with local media.

5.9 Some roads and streets in the borough play a key role in the free movement of traffic and restriction or closure of any of these can have a significant adverse effect on traffic flows. Although usually referred to as Traffic Sensitive Streets they include three groupings:

• Protected street (where no apparatus can be placed)
• Streets with special engineering difficulties (which require additional careful consultation, planning and execution of works)
• Traffic sensitive streets (our most vulnerable routes, which are susceptible to high levels of disruption, either at all times or during defined periods). 
• Our current register is included in Appendix B.

5.10 Gateshead is a vibrant borough which seeks to encourage both small community events or large events such as concerts and the Great North Run. The Council continues to take the view that for an event to be a successful one it must first and foremost be safe. It is essential that organisers give a proposed event suitable notice which are set out in various other Council policies. The following list gives an idea of the types of events to which this applies:

• Fun runs
• Charity walks
• Festivals, music or otherwise
• sporting events 
• Concerts
• Shows and fetes
• Motor sports
• Abseiling from the Tyne bridge
• Zip Wire from the Tyne Bridge; and the Baltic
• Fireworks displays
• Street parties

5.11 Large scale events in particular can increase flows of traffic which may or may not coincide with routine peak time volumes. The Network Management Duty requires the Council to co-ordinate special events that will cause disruption to traffic. The Council will co-ordinate these events and work with external agencies such as the Police to ensure that conflicts between street works and events are minimised. Council departments and external organisations work together so that operation of the network at any particular time across the whole authority area can be seen and planned in collaboration with adjacent authorities. The Council works closely with event organisers and other Stakeholders to co-ordinate events and minimise disruption to traffic, businesses and residents.

5.12 Some events will require relevant licenses issued by the Council and closure or restrictions on the highway network may require the execution of a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order. Such events likely to require a TTRO will result in the event organisers having to give the network manager a minimum of 12 weeks' notice.

1. The Traffic Manager has established a Network Management Team to encourage the most efficient use of the traffic network and is headed by the Network Manager.
2. The Network Manager will attend the Regional Traffic Manager Group.
3. The Network manager will offer support to Emergency Planning and Resilience Team.
4. A Network Management Plan will be included as part of the Transport Asset Management Plan.
5. The Network Team will assist the Building Control team for the placement of Skips, scaffolding and other items upon the highway so that the network is not unduly affected.
6. The Traffic Manager will ensure that the Network Management Team and the Street Works Team work in collaboration to ensure the priorities of the Network Plan are met.

What are sensitive streets

Under New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (opens new window) (NRSWA) a street authority may designate streets (or parts) as Traffic Sensitive.

This allows highly trafficked highways to be identified to work promotors, so they can provide greater advanced warnings of activities.
The designation may apply to: 
    

• Carriageway only 
• Footway or pedestrian area only 
• Any part of a length of street
• Only certain times of day, days of the week, or days of the year

Why designate

The designation highlights that activities on these streets or junctions are likely to be particularly disruptive to road users but does not necessarily prevent occupation during time sensitive times.

Once a designation is made it applies to all works and activities taking place in the street.

Criteria for designation

Gateshead as the street Authority for Gateshead highways apart from the A1 and A194 (M) may designate certain streets (or parts) as traffic sensitive in one of the following ways:
I.    Agreement with statutory undertakers known to have apparatus in the street concerned 
II.    One or more of the following criteria is met:

• The street is one on which at any time the street authority estimate that traffic flow is greater than 500 vehicles per hour per lane of the carriageway, excluding bus or cycle lanes;    
• The street is a single carriageway two-way road, the carriageway of which is less than 6.5m wide, having a total traffic flow of not less than 600 vehicles per hour; (excluding bus or cycle lanes)
• The street falls within a congestion charge area;
• Traffic flow contains more than 25% heavy commercial vehicles (HCV's);
• The street carries in both directions more than eight buses per hour;
• The street is within 100 metres of a critical signalised junction gyratory or roundabout system
• The street, or that part of the street, that has a pedestrian flow rate at any time of at least 1300 persons per hour per metre width of footways,
• The street is on a tourist route or within an area where international, national or significant major events are taking place

Sensitive street designation allows

The designation of a street as sensitive enables the council to enact:

• Directions affecting when and where a Statutory Undertaker can carry out works on the street;
• Restrictions covering the time periods when works can and cannot take place;
• Challenges to the duration of works thought to be unreasonably prolonged; and
• Fixed penalties as a sanction if an Undertaker does not comply with the process correctly, starts work without giving the appropriate notice or where the works are prolonged unnecessarily

Sensitive street schedule criteria

A.   Estimated traffic flows greater than 500 vehicles per hour per lane (excluding bus and cycle lanes);
B.   Single carriageways less than 6.5m wide (excluding bus and cycle lanes) with a flow no less than 600 vehicles per hour;
C.   Streets is within a known congestion area;
D.  Traffic flow comprising 25% or more HGV's;
E.   Streets carrying buses in both directions, comprising more than eight buses per hour ;
F.   Is found on the pre-salting routes in the winter maintenance programme;
G.  Street is within 100m of Critical signalised or roundabout junction; 
H.  Street or part of has a pedestrian flow of 1300 persons per hour;
I.    Street is on a tourist route or within an area where international, national or significant major events are taking place.

Restriction notes

• Part of the Great North Run: road forms part of this event and as such the road is sensitive for the weekend of the event 
• Part of the Blaydon Race route: road forms part of this event and as such the road is sensitive for the day of the event
• October to April sensitivity: road forms part of the winter maintenance routes and is sensitive within these months.
• Part of the Junior Great North Run: road is sensitive for the weekend of this event 

This indicates Streets within 100m of a critical, signalised or roundabout junction.