Implementing a skidding policy in London

The maintenance and management of the road network in London is the responsibility of 33 London Boroughs and Transport for London (TFL). The boundaries between boroughs are largely historic and the road user does not distinguish between different Borough Councils road networks or the more strategic TFL network. Under the guidance of the mayor's transport strategy each borough manages its own road network to locally derived policies. There was a desire to implement a London-wide skidding policy on the principal (A) road network that could be applied for each Borough and TFL and ensured that standards applied were broadly comparable. A parallel aim was to improve risk management for the Borough Councils in managing skid resistance across the network to produce a more integrated strategy for safer roads. Led by a steering group, WDM Limited were commissioned to: review the accident and skidding resistance on the network; develop policy and guidance documents; provide training; prioritise sites for investigation. The paper describes the process of developing the policy, working with the boroughs individually and collectively and how the principles have been applied across London.