HA reviews maintenance resources

The Highways Agency (HA) is considering a multi-million pound construction programme to increase the number of maintenance depots it has across its 14 network areas in England.

The move comes partly in response to criticism the HA received following the 2002 ‘White Friday’ incident when sections of the road network came to a standstill as gritters were slow to respond.

"We are reviewing the 98 depots we have in England and the function they provide," said HA chief highways engineer Ginny Clarke. "We can then determine if the location and the number of depots are correct, or whether we need to provide more facilities to help shorten response times. There is no point having a depot from which gritters need to make 80km trips to grit certain roads."

The HA’s resource review is expected to be completed next year when the agency will then consider its findings and put together a construction programme. No operational depots are expected to close.

Clarke also added that she was "confident" there would be no repeat of the events two years ago and that the agency, and its suppliers, are prepared for this winter.