TheDepartment for Transporthas come
under fire amid allegations that new legislation requiring councils
to invest in IT systems to co-ordinate roadworks is
"unworkable".
The
New Roads and Street Works Act will require councils to make
their IT interoperable with utility companies' systems so that they
can co-ordinate roadworks to reduce traffic congestion.
Software developers, councils and utilities last week raised
concerns about the government's implementation of the act. They
accused the
Department for Transport of introducing "inconsistencies" into
the technology specification, and warned it would be difficult for
councils and utilities to meet the April 2008 deadline because the
specification had not been finalised.
The Eton Developers Group (EDG), which represents 16 software
firms and utilities, is advising the government on the legislation
and the development of roadworks software. It said that, under
current plans, councils would face technical difficulties in
linking to utilities' systems.
"The department has introduced logical inconsistencies that mean
the different systems will not interact properly," said Alun Hunt,
marketing manager at software supplier and EDG member Exor
Corporation. "We have less than six months to produce and implement
new software. We are not miracle workers."
Dave Turnbull, chair of the National Joint Utilities Group,
which is providing technical advice on the legislation, said,
"There are less than six months to launch and the specification is
not yet finalised. We fear that this will lead to flawed software
from day one."
Wayne Scott, assistant traffic manager at
Bracknell-Forest Council, said, "The technical spec has caused
a great deal of concern."
Scott said that although the law could make things easier for
councils by giving them more notice of roadworks, many authorities
were unsure what technical problems the specifications could cause
for them. "We are not sure of the IT investment needed, because the
software has not been written," he said.
The Department for Transport said many councils already had the
necessary systems in place. However, Hunt said, "The new rules will
mean a massive upgrade, plus many councils still use paper-based
systems."
The department said it had listened to industry concerns. "Most
of the EDG's suggestions have been incorporated into the revised
technical specification. The department and its contractors have
only made changes to EDG's revision where this is necessary," it
said.