MIDLOTHIAN Council’s co-ordination of roadworks has achieved the top rating of ‘Well Managed’ for the third year in a row by the independent public official, the Scottish Road Works Commissioner.
At the full Council meeting on Tuesday, councillors heard only nine of Scotland’s 32 local authorities were awarded the highest rating in the commissioner’s latest annual performance report for 2022/23.
Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for roads, Councillor Dianne Alexander commended the council’s roads and transportation team.
She said: “I am sure my fellow councillors will join me in applauding the excellent performance by the team, especially when you consider there can be more than 100 ‘live’ roadworks sites at any given time and just two officers – a roadworks coordinator and a utility works inspector – making sure the commissioner’s requirements are carried out and all relevant information recorded in the Scottish Road Works Register.”
The commissioner uses the traffic light, green, amber and red system to rate each roads authority against 22 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) covering areas such as safety for road users and if work is completed on time.
Midlothian Council achieved green ratings for all but one KPI. The commissioner rated the council’s performance as ‘amber’ in relation to the percentage of works extended beyond the anticipated completion time.
Councillors heard extensions are mostly due to adverse weather conditions or delays due to unforeseen circumstances during the road works period and are therefore generally outwith our control.
