Network Management Policy

Buckinghamshire Council’s (BC) 3,200km highway infrastructure asset provides a transportation network for both businesses and private users. Proper management of the Highway Network reduces congestion and ensures occupation is appropriately managed. Buckinghamshire Highways manages the Highway Network on the behalf of BC. A well-managed Highway Network will contribute towards the achievement of the Asset Management Objectives:

• AMO2: Provide a resilient network that maximises availability and accessibility for all and support the local economy and future growth
• AMO4: Manage highways efficiently and effectively to deliver best value and quality optimising available resources

It will also help the council to achieve its objective to “Improve connectivity and tackle congestion through investments in our roads, transport and digital infrastructure.”

Buckinghamshire Council adopts “Well Managed Highway Infrastructure, a Code of Practice” to provide guidance on highway management. The Code promotes an integrated asset management approach to highway infrastructure based on establishing local levels of service through an evidence-led, risk-based assessment.

Under the Traffic Management Act 2004 Local Authorities have a “Network Management Duty” to manage the day to day running of the highway network in an efficient and effective manner. These duties include:

• management of works on the highway including BC’s own works, utilities and others that create static or moving obstructions
• contingency plans for incidents and emergencies
• plans for significant events or filming on the highway
• plans for seasonal weather event