This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Road works commissioner appointed
30/03/2007
Transport Minister Tavish Scott today announced the appointment of the first Scottish Road Works Commissioner.
The post of Commissioner, established to improve the planning, co-ordination and quality of road works throughout Scotland, has been awarded to Mr John Gooday.
The Commissioner will monitor performance, along with promoting and encouraging good practice across utility companies and local authorities. He will also have the power to impose fines for repeated violations of the legislation.
Mr Scott said
"I am delighted to appoint John Gooday to the post of Scottish Road Works Commissioner.
"Local road works are an unavoidable inconvenience, but poorly managed projects can cause frustration and unnecessary disruption. Disruption that leads to extra traffic congestion.
"A safe, reliable transport network keeps our economy moving. This appointment will play a vital role in ensuring there is minimum disruption caused by road works across the country."
John Gooday said:
"I am delighted to have been offered the post of first Scottish Road Works Commissioner. This job will be both stimulating and challenging, and will allow me to be able to make a contribution to improving the standard and management of roadworks across Scotland.
"When I take up the post in May, my first priority will be to make contact with the key players in the industry to explore how we can jointly take forward the challenge of introducing the improvements in service the public rightly seek."
Mr Gooday will take up his post in May 2007.
Notes to News Editors:
John Gooday is at present employed by Transport Scotland as National Network Manager, with over 30 years experience in the management of roads in Scotland. Mr Gooday will work closely with the Roads Authorities and Utilities Committee for Scotland (RAUCS) and a range of other bodies to ensure that the new regulations and codes of practice are implemented in order to minimise the inconvenience, congestion and unnecessary costs imposed by poorly planned road works.
The Scottish Executive has worked closely with the Roads Authorities and Utilities Committee in Scotland to develop the new regulations and codes of practice associated with the road work provisions of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005.
The Commissioner will use the upgraded Scottish Road Works Register to monitor performance. The public will be able to obtain information about road works in their area by accessing the register online.
The Commissioner will be able to impose penalties up to a maximum of £50k for the systematic failure in the duties of both roads authorities and utilities -though it is not anticipated that penalties will be imposed for a first offence.
The penalty will be imposed for a failure in duties to co-ordinate or co-operate. These penalties are Commissioner penalties and not Summary offences; therefore do not involve the Procurator Fiscal.