Managing the traffic flow
An important part of our onshore construction work was to manage the flow of HGVs so that disruption and traffic problems were minimised. A comprehensive Traffic Management Plan was drawn up and our HGV drivers were required to:
- Adhere to the agreed routes
- Observe the 20mph speed limit through the village
- Avoid passing the school during drop-off and pick-up times.
Independent speed monitoring has shown that the average speed of London Array and National Grid drivers is well within the 20mph speed limit and below the average speed of non London Array or National Grid vehicles.
As part of our Traffic Management Plan, we also pledged to:
- Provide sufficient on-site parking for all vehicles
- Ensure deliveries arrive in covered vehicles
- Regularly sweep the roads near the site entrance
- Make sure lorry wheels are washed before leaving the site.
And we provided the following:
- A new car park for the parich council to be used by Graveney School
- A traffic marshal for the duration of the construction works
- Safety warning lights for the school
- A crossing and steps to the school playing field.
Responding to local feedback
We continued to enhance our Traffic Management Plan in response to feedback from the local community. Extra measures that were introduced included:
- Establishing a holding area where all drivers had to report to before entering the site
- Re-issuing detailed instructions to drivers at the holding site
- Additional speed monitoring at different locations
- Windscreen identity signs for all vehicles
- Liaison with Kent police on speed monitoring
- A stronger enforcement system with yellow and red cards being issued for minor and serious offences respectively. A red card meant the driver was instantly and permanently banned from the site.
We’ve taken and will continue to take disciplinary action against any driver that breaches the rules of the Plan.
