The following case study highlights the work that member organisation, HW Martin (Traffic Management) Ltd does to improve accessibility and inclusion in the realm of temporary traffic management. In particular, this example highlights the company’s dedication to ensuring infrastructure projects prioritise the needs of all road users.
In collaboration with AE Yates Ltd, our team at HW Martin (Traffic Management) Ltd played a pivotal role in implementing innovative temporary traffic management solutions for the A595 Moresby Hall Improvement Scheme, driven by a commitment to accessibility and inclusion. This £16 million project, commissioned by National Highways under the Scheme Delivery Framework (SDF), aimed not only to enhance the A595 artery connecting Whitehaven and Egremont but also to ensure that the local community remained seamlessly connected throughout the process.
Our approach prioritised the diverse needs of all road users, including residents and commuters throughout the project’s two phases. During the intensive phase two, which involved ten consecutive weekends of full-road closures on a two-mile stretch of the A595, maintaining connectivity and safety for the community was paramount.
Drawing on 18 months of collaborative planning during the Early Contractor Involvement phase, we implemented several customer-centric measures that significantly improved the overall experience:
1. Dedicated bus lane and resilience service: Recognising the importance of public transit, we introduced a dedicated bus lane and a resilience bus service (unusual in temporary traffic management schemes), ensuring uninterrupted access to vital transportation routes for residents. A resident, Anne Carr, praised the shuttle service for enabling her to commute to work without disruption.
2. Speeding deterrence and safety enhancement: To address speeding and unauthorised diversions, we deployed ANPR cameras, localised weight restrictions and Carnell’s SafetyCam vans, resulting in a notable reduction in speeding incidents and enhancing overall road safety.
3. Support for local events: Our temporary traffic management plans were thoughtfully adapted to accommodate local events, such as the West Cumbria Vintage Car Rally and Lakesman 2023 Triathalon, during the closure periods. Variable Message Signs (VMS) provided event-specific information, enhancing community relationships and adding value to local initiatives.
To ensure informed and hassle-free journeys, we provided timely and accurate information through various channels:
1. Journey-time information and advanced information provision: Innovative signage and VMS displays along the diversion route provided consistent messaging and real-time journey updates, facilitating informed decision-making for travellers.
2. 24-hour customer service hotline and staffed gates: A dedicated hotline and staffed gates ensured round-the-clock support for travellers, offering information and assistance with booking the replacement bus service and coordinating emergency services.
These initiatives yielded tangible results, with complaints, despite already being low, decreasing by 86% during the closure period and compliments remaining consistently high. Moreover, the project’s success has been recognized industry-wide, and it was shortlisted for a 2023 National Highways award for Customer Focused Network Management.
By prioritizing accessibility, inclusion and customer satisfaction, this project exemplifies the transformative impact of proactive temporary traffic management solutions in creating safer, more efficient journeys around construction projects.
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