Falklands : Falklands EXCO TO CONSIDER NEW ROAD MAINTENANCE AND CAPPING PRIORITIES
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 14.07.2012 (Article Archived on 28.07.2012)
At several public meetings and at Farmers’ Week the subject of roads took a large portion of MLAs’ time.
EXCO TO CONSIDER NEW ROAD MAINTENANCE AND CAPPING PRIORITIES
By J. Brock (FINN)
At several public meetings and at Farmers’ Week the subject of roads took a large portion of MLAs’ time. People in the Farming and Tourism industries as well as other road users had complained about the state of roads in Camp, especially the heavily used MPA road. Their points about high maintenance roads as well as the deteriorating state of the MPA Road have been taken aboard by MLAs, who will be discussing an information paper provided by the Roads Engineer in Executive Council to be held later this month.
The purpose of the paper is to provide a new direction for the management, maintenance and improvement of the highways network outside of Stanley by resetting and defining the Policy of PWD Highways it should provide clarity to Members and the public. To seek additional funding to progress certain aspects of the Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP) as detailed within the paper.
The paper recommends that Members agree the principles as outlined in this paper for developing the HAMP and that Members agree a revision to the policy for PWD Highways as follows: ‘To maintain a network that is categorised and maintained to meet the reasonable demands of all highway users within the annual budget allocation provided’
Members would also approve the increase in posts funded from the recurrent budget for grading works this being three full time and two seasonal plant operator handymen and that Members approve the conversion of a seasonal foreman post to permanent as well as the conversion of a plant operator handyman position to that of an assistant foreman position.
There would be a request that additional funding for 0360 recurrent budget codes from 2012/13 onwards for salaries and related costs of £121,860 is referred to the Budget Select Committee are approved.
Members will be asked to approve the proposal to remove the existing surfacing on the section of the MPA road at the location known as Sapper Hill and replace with asphalt in 2012/13 and refer the request for the following funding to Budget Select Committee: £546,000 of Capital funding in 2012/13, operating funding of £17,000 for 0360 0310 Salaries from 2012/13 onwards to support the increased capping operation.
The Roads Engineer hopes that Members do not approve the progressive resurfacing of the MPA road for its whole length, as FIG has insufficient funds for this and additional funding would have to be found from the Recurrent Budget, and that the offer made by Colas Ltd not be progressed.
In addition Members are encouraged to approve additional capping to be undertaken and refer the request for the following funding to Budget Select Committee: additional capital funding of £2,845,000 to be provided over the period 2012/13 – 2017/18 for additional capping at identified locations as per 8.1; and additional operating funding of £77,000 be added to 0360 0310 Salaries over the same period.
If approved the paper will go a long way in allaying the concerns people aired during various public and private meetings recently.
More information can be obtained from the Roads Engineer, Simon Catton on SCatton@megabid.gov.fk. Copies of the paper can be obtained from Gilbert House.
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