SUMMER 2025 DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 11
HIGHWAYS IN FOCUS
GPSJ
Sefton Council frustrated with national
highways over crossing
Sefton Council has made
it clear it is unhappy with
National Highways’ decision
not to replace the footbridge
on the A5036 at the junction
of Dunnings Bridge Road and
Park Lane.
National Highways originally
made a commitment to the
Council and local community
to replace the bridge which
was not compliant with modern
accessibility requirements. After it
had to be demolished when it was
damaged in a collision in 2022,
the organisation changed its mind
and said it would install a crossing
instead of a new footbridge.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of
Sefton Council said:
“Our position hasn’t changed
since our statement in 2023,
when we made it clear the bridge
should be replaced, so it is hugely
frustrating that National Highways
are continuing with their plans to
put in a crossing instead.
“They have not engaged with
us and more importantly, they
have failed to consult the local
community – the very people
who will be most a昀昀ected by this
decision. They simply told us they
had changed their mind.
“We have listened to local
people, and they have made it
very clear they want a bridge.
National Highways originally
agreed to this but are now trying
to go back on this commitment.
“It is unacceptable that National
Highways are treating people in
Sefton with such disregard over
such an important decision.
“Sefton Council expects
National Highways to reverse
the decision and provide a
replacement bridge in line with
the needs and wishes of the local
community.”
SWARCO UK & Ireland extends longterm relationship with Staffordshire
County Council with new traffic service
and maintenance contract
Following a successful 昀椀veyear contract, SWARCO UK
& Ireland, the leading tra昀케c
solution and technology
business, has been awarded
a new long-term maintenance
contract with Sta昀昀ordshire
County Council for tra昀케c
signals and signage across the
region.
The new contract, which will run
for an initial 昀椀ve years with the
option of a three-year extension,
follows a successful collaboration
between SWARCO and the
Council which began in 1999.
Under the new agreement,
SWARCO will maintain tra昀케c
signals across 186 junctions
and 384 pedestrian crossings
across Sta昀昀ordshire, as well as
120 Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS)
and 124 dual-昀氀asher signs. In
addition, SWARCO will also be
responsible for any highways
system upgrades and tra昀케c
management requirements, as
well as coordination of multiple
contractors and raising and
managing any necessary permits
for all works, including civils,
carried out throughout the
duration of the contract.
Emily Madsen, Lighting and
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
Manager at Sta昀昀ordshire County
Council, says: “This partnership
with SWARCO directly supports
our strategic commitment to
keeping Sta昀昀ordshire connected,
safe and moving. Since 昀椀rst
working together in 1999, we
have built a strong, trusted
relationship that has delivered
lasting improvements to our tra昀케c
infrastructure.
“SWARCO’s reliability, expertise
and shared commitment to our
goals have helped us modernise
our network, minimise disruption
and provide real bene昀椀ts four our
residents and businesses across
the county.”
Steve Alston, Regional
Operations Manager at SWARCO
UK & Ireland, says the renewed
contract represents a key
milestone for the business, and is
testament to the experience and
service delivery of its team: “We
are very proud to further extend
our long-term relationship with
Sta昀昀ordshire County Council, with
the new contract taking this to
more than 30 years,” Steve says.
“We look forward to continuing
this long-standing partnership,
supporting the Council with their
drive to keeping the highway
network of Sta昀昀ordshire moving
and in good working order. We
will continue to help them achieve
greater 昀氀exibility and e昀케ciencies
in all aspects of highways
technology installation and
maintenance across the County.”
GOVERNMENT
AND PUBLIC
SECTOR
2015
GOVERNMENT
AND
PUBLICJOURNAL
SECTOR SUMMER/AUTUMN
JOURNAL SUMMER 2025
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