The foundation of delivering a better service to road users will be a strategic network available for use. Any reduction in standards of maintenance impacts on safety and the network's availability. The scale of the investment required in the future to maintain these standards and the level of service is directly related to the size of the asset. The maintenance programme will contribute to a number of outcomes in the 10 Year Plan particularly the need to keep the network in good repair.
Maintenance also contributes significantly to safer travel, easing congestion and quieter roads.
Routine maintenance plays an important role in providing safer travel ranging from the salting of roads in winter to the cutting of vegetation on verges in summer to ensure clear visibility. By replacing existing carriageway surfacing with lower noise surfacing, significant numbers of people living close to the network will benefit from reduced noise levels. HOW The Agency contracts with suppliers to carry out this maintenance programme. Under present arrangements, managing agents monitor the state of the network and order a term maintenance contractor to carry out the work. The Agency intends to move to single-point supply of maintenance work through the development of Managing Agent Contractors which will combine the role of maintaining agent and term maintenance contractor.