Overview

This bill aims to improve England's highways by prioritizing the maintenance of smaller roads, better managing heavy commercial vehicle traffic, and reducing the risks associated with potholes and road surface damage. It does this by providing guidance to local authorities on how to manage these issues.

Description

The Highways (Improvement, Traffic Regulation and Traffic Management) Bill focuses on two key areas:

Heavy Commercial Vehicle Traffic

The bill empowers the Secretary of State to issue guidance to highway authorities on managing heavy commercial vehicles. This guidance can cover vehicle types, weight limits, route restrictions, and speed limits. Highway authorities must inform road users and residents about this guidance.

Road Surface Repair

The bill directs parish and town councils to consider guidance from the Secretary of State on improving the maintenance of local access roads, aiming to reduce the number of potholes and the risks they pose. This includes any functions they may have under agreements with other local authorities.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't specify direct government spending figures. However, its implementation might lead to increased spending by local authorities on road maintenance and traffic management, potentially requiring additional funding from central government.

Groups Affected

• Highway Authorities: Will be responsible for implementing the guidance on heavy commercial vehicle management.
• Parish and Town Councils: Will need to follow guidance on local road maintenance, potentially impacting their budgets and resources.
• Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers: May face new restrictions on routes, weight limits, or speed limits.
• Residents: Will be directly affected by improvements to local roads and changes in traffic patterns.
• Road Users: Will benefit from improved road conditions but may face some disruption due to traffic management changes.

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