William Eichler 19 April 2017

Councils ‘vastly enhance’ roadworks communication

Local authorities have been praised for ‘vastly enhancing’ their communication about roadworks in their areas over the past three years.

A new report from Socitm, the society for IT/digital leaders, has shown councils have improved their performance scorecard for online roadworks communication from 48% three years ago to 85%.

The major reason for the improvement, according to Socitm, was that almost all of the councils surveyed use the roadworks.org mapping system as ‘the primary or only route to access details of planned roadworks in the area.’

‘The last time we conducted this test was in 2014, when only 48% of county councils achieved the Better Connected standard – the equivalent of three or four stars under our current scoring arrangements,’ said the Socitm report.

‘This time we have 85% getting 3 and 4 stars, 55% achieving the top mark.

‘The difference is that most sites now embed the roadworks.org map and facilities into their websites to provide the information covered by this test, and individual and overall results are greatly influenced by how well this service has been integrated into the website.’

Among those whose best practice was highlighted were North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Devon and Hertfordshire County Councils, where the additional information provided on closures and diversions was particularly commended.

These authorities use Elgin’s Traffic Management App to plot their official closures and diversions and syndicate the information through hundreds of other web services, social media and informing sat-nav and in-car navigation services.

Shane O'Neill, chairman of Elgin, said: 'The use by over 95% of local highway authorities of roadworks.org is one of the best examples of local government shared services that exists. Over 17 million self-served roadworks enquiries were answered in the last twelve months through roadworks.org and its network of embedded sites.'

Visits to council websites about highways represent around 2-3% of all visits, and are part of the wider ‘mobility’ category (including parking, streetworks, transport and buses) that is the single biggest category of council web visits after rubbish and recycling.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Para Swim Coach

North Yorkshire Council
£15.84 - £17.29 per hour
Lead, Inspire, and Empower – Join Our Para Swim Coaching Team Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Head of Legal and Governance

Elmbridge Borough Council
£92,948-£104,310 plus £6,500 Leadership Allowance and £5,000 Statutory Officer Allowance
Elmbridge is a vibrant borough, celebrated for its green spaces, bustling high streets and welcoming villages. Elmbridge, Droitwich
Recuriter: Elmbridge Borough Council

Planning Officer

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Up to £40404 per annum
Shape the future of our borough through thoughtful, balanced planning that benefits residents, businesses and communities.As a Planning Officer in our England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Adults Team Manager - Early Help & Wellbeing

Essex County Council
£54001 - £66899 per annum
This is a 10 month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity.The RoleThe Early Help & Wellbeing Team is a welcoming, compassionate and innovative England, Essex, Harlow
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner