NEWS RELEASE
Thursday 17th May 2007
New Good Practice Guide for Works in the Street Supported by Utilities Industry
Government endorses NJUG’s contribution and new ‘Vision for Street Works’
The Department for Transport (DfT) yesterday published a new HAUC (Highway Authorities and Utilities Committee) ‘Good Practice Guide’ for managing works in the street.
The National Joint Utility Group (NJUG) - the UK’s trade association representing utilities in street works - actively contributed through HAUC and directly, to the good practice guide which sets out how all parties can best work together to effectively manage works in the street.
Good practice guide echoes NJUG’s ‘Vision for Street Works’
The guide entitled ‘Working Together: A Good Practice Guide to Managing Works in the Street’ reflects NJUG’s newly launched ‘Vision for Street Works,’ promoting safety as a priority for street works and co-operation and co-ordination to minimise disruption, congestion and the environmental impact of street works.
NJUG’s contribution to the good practice guide and newly launched Vision was endorsed by Gillian Merron MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport at the HSC07 in her keynote address at the conference yesterday.
Richard Wakelen, CEO of NJUG said, “NJUG welcomes the launch of HAUC’s best practice guide published by the Department for Transport, and will continue to work with the Government and local authorities to identify and promote examples of how works in the street can continue to be improved. This move follows the launch of NJUG’s new Vision in April 2007, which sets out a road map for the future delivery of world class street works in the UK.’”
Jane Smith, NJUG’s new Communications Director added, “NJUG will also be looking at innovative ways of sharing these and other examples of best practice by working closely with the DfT, feeding into their website, and through NJUG’s website at www.njug.org.uk, speaking platforms and our newly established quarterly Street Works Forum.”
A case study of effective co-operation
The pioneering partnership between NJUG member EDF Energy Networks and East Sussex County Council was cited in the best practice guide as an example of how planning, co-ordination, communications and greater understanding can be effective in minimising disruption in essential street works.
The partnership between a major utility company and a county council was unique in its approach. It included the establishment of a board to give strategic direction to street works, joint workshops and a balance of performance indicators to measure success.
The best practice document was launched at this week’s National HAUC Conference on Street Works in Telford.
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Notes To Editors
For further editorial information or to arrange an interview please contact the NJUG press office (njug@pwkpr.com) or telephone 020 7609 1900.
NJUG’s Street Works Forum:
For more information about NJUG’s next Street Works Forum please visit: www.njug.org.uk
NJUG’s Vision for Street Works:
· Safety is the number one priority
· Damage to underground assets is avoided
· Utilities work together and in partnership with local authorities to minimise disruption
· Utilities deliver consistent high quality
· Utilities maximise the use of sustainable methods and materials
· Street works in the UK are regarded as world class
The full document is available online at: www.njug.org.uk
A launch release is online at:
www.njug.org.uk/category/6/pageid/13/documentid/9/
About The National Joint Utility Group (NJUG)
NJUG is the UK industry association representing utilities on street works issues. Our members include the Energy Networks Association (representing electricity and gas companies), Water UK (representing water companies), National Grid, BT, Cable and Wireless, Virgin Media and THUS plc.
NJUG is the utility arm of the Highway Authorities and Utilities Committee representing street works in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales known as HAUC (UK). NJUG’s focus is on promoting best practice, safety, quality and co-ordination of works as well as representing utilities in discussions with Government and other stakeholders on street work issues.
Street works are essential activities carried out by electricity, water, gas and communications utilities to maintain, enhance, extend, renew and repair their networks.