A new service to give local communities advance warning of 1.7 million local road works was launched on Thurday 16 February 2012.
Roadworks Alerts is free to users and provides details of local road works direct to mobile phones or as automated feeds to websites.
It is a new service from the ELGIN roadworks.org website – the most comprehensive roadworks portal in the UK. It publishes up-to-the-minute information about local roadworks on a live map, with the aim of helping to cut traffic jams and co-ordinate works planning among telephone, water and energy Utilities – potentially saving the UK billions of pounds a year, and road users lots of time.
Roadworks.org is the largest roadworks database in the UK, developed and supported by ELGIN. It harvests data effectively in real-time from participating local authorities and LondonWorks as well as main trunk route information from the Highways Agency.
This newly launched feature on roadworks.org, means anyone can set up an email alert for future planned roadworks in their area in literally a few easy clicks. Not just that, it is useful for those planning long journeys as well, as it enables the traveller to plan alternative routes and avoid the delays caused by the roadworks.
Councillor Robert Barr OBE, Warrington borough council, commenting on the new service which enables Alerts to be set up by ward and parish, as well as address and postcode, said:
“We need to help our motorists avoid delays due to roadworks. Roadworks Alerts can help avoid the waste of time that congestion causes and will help councillors keep track of the effect of maintenance and repairs on the roads.”
Cambridgeshire county councillor, Shona Johnstone added:
“Councillors are often the first point of contact for the public. Having up-to-the-minute information about local roadworks by Ward will be a huge benefit in ensuring that their constituents are kept informed.”
Enterprising local councils such as Warwickshire are already pushing out local roadworks information to parish level. County Communications Manager Jane Inman said:
“We have 220 parishes – by our syndicating roadworks data through Roadworks Alerts, local citizens get information about roadworks direct from our Streetworks Register, thus encouraging both ourselves and Utilities and their contractors to keep the information up to date.”
ELGIN Chairman Shane O’Neill commented:
“This is an excellent example of local government making critical transport information available.”
“Over 55% of England and Wales is already covered by this service. Better access to data will lead to better coordination of works and will drive efficiencies.”
“And, by making the data available in intelligent format to innovative applications developers, sponsoring local authorities are also helping to drive the nation’s growth strategy by encouraging enterprise.”
For more information, please contact: pr@elgin.org.uk