NI roads maintenance sector facing crisis, warns QPANI

27/08/2015 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

The Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI) has warned that the country’s road maintenance industry is facing an unprecedented crisis due to political impasse.

In a statement it said: “As a result of the political impasse at Stormont and the Executive’s failure to agree the redistribution of government funding as part of the June monitoring round the roads maintenance industry faces unprecedented threats as funding comes to an end in just a couple of weeks. Following a meeting between QPANI members and the chairman of the Assembly Regional Development Committee, Trevor Clarke MLA, a decision has been taken to recall the RD Committee today (27 August) at 2pm to discuss the current funding crisis and immediate threat to skilled jobs and the industries future capacity to deliver a quality service.”

Gordon Best, regional director of the Quarry Products Association, who represent all of the roads maintenance companies carrying out contracts for DRD said the outlook was the most serious that he can remember.

“Unfortunately for many years now the process by which the maintenance of our roads network is funded has been totally dependent on how much money other government departments cannot spend. That money is then redistributed about three times per year in what is called the monitoring rounds. In the past we have always had an overlap during which there has been enough funds to ensure continuity of work for contractors. Since the start of the year as a result of funding reductions employment levels within the sector have dropped from 950 to 466 at the start of August and if funding is not secured immediately this could drop further to an almost an unrecoverable number of 189. These facts graphically illustrate the serious funding issues we face as a result of the June monitoring round not being agreed yet.”

Best continued: “Furthermore the immediate impact on health and safety on our roads and the implications for the state of our roads, particularly the rural roads, and the higher costs of road reconstruction will be serious. The possible scenario of having no work at all in three weeks’ time will impact on the industries capacity to deliver again when and if funding levels return to what is required. “We are already witnessing a significant skills migration from Northern Ireland. The fall in workload discourages young people from seeking a career in our industry due to its stop/start nature of funding. Hauliers, who we are dependent upon for moving our products from A to B are leaving the industry as a result of the uncertainty of a steady income.

“Companies involved in road maintenance have invested millions in plant and machinery, training and qualifying their workforce and in quality systems to ensure they deliver a quality service and product for the NI Executive and our local communities.

“The industry, and indeed our economy, would call on our Executive to agree on the redistribution of funds from the June monitoring round as a matter of urgency so that highly skilled jobs are protected and the future integrity of our roads network is safeguarded.”

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW