Don’t get stuck in a jam! – Remember to check before you travel

Motorists in Buckinghamshire are being advised to take some simple but important steps before they travel in the county over coming weeks and months, and to check road and traffic updates to avoid getting stuck in a jam.

An unprecedented rise in required roadworks and other works involving external companies is affecting large sections of the county’s roads network at the present time. This means that the potential for queues and slow-moving traffic is greatly increased.

Buckinghamshire Council is investing more than £110m in the highway network across the county with a large programme of improvement and repair works ongoing. Alongside this, other roadworks and disruption is being caused by a growing number of works being carried out by external companies. While the council can control the timing of some roadworks, it is not always possible to plan every piece of work. Utility companies often need to repair faults or carry out upgrades to pipes and cables. Some of this work needs to be carried out at very short notice. The council is not able to stop this work and instead aims to liaise with the companies involved to attempt to minimise disruption where possible. Other external projects such as HS2 and East West Rail are also causing disruption across the network.

To help drivers reduce their chance of getting caught in a traffic jam, the council is reminding people of some quick and easy ways to check ahead before they travel.

• Get live traffic updates – use the https://one.network/ website which shows current and planned future works. You can also sign to receive alerts.
• Use your satnav – even if it is a journey you regularly make, satnavs will usually pick up on congestion and traffic issues, allowing you to adapt your route.
• Consider other travel options such as walking or cycling. Even if just for part of your journey.
• Follow us on social media for up-to-date information on emergency works or unexpected road closures and diversions – Facebook – Buckinghamshire Highways, X - @bucks_highways

Steven Broadbent, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport said: “We know there are a lot of roadworks taking place across the county at the moment and at times all of us will be frustrated by more traffic, longer journey times and diversions. If we can help it, we don’t want people to get stuck in traffic jams unnecessarily and so we are suggesting some simple actions they can take to make their journey easier.”

Council inspectors are out and about seven days a week ensuring that companies carrying out works are completing them to schedule and not breaking the terms of their permit. A record number of enforcement notices and fines have been issued for roadworks that have been non-permitted and/or run over time.

For more information about planned roadworks and closures across the county, visit the website: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/check-before-you-travel