Traffic Signals Policy

Middlesbrough Council is responsible for installing and maintaining traffic signals and signal-controlled pedestrian crossings across the five boroughs in the Tees Valley (Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington, Hartlepool, and Redcar &

Cleveland). However, all traffic signal controlled junctions and crossings within the Borough are an asset of Stockton Council, with the exception of A19/A1046 Portrack interchange and A19/A689 Wolviston interchange, which are Highways England assets.

SBC and the other Tees Valley Authorities each make an annual contribution, paid on a quarterly basis, to Middlesbrough BC in order to carry out the traffic signal functions as defined in the Agency Agreement. This pays for general maintenance, the Urban Traffic Control (UTC) and Management System (UTMC), and an operational fee to cover staff resources and other overheads.

SBC is responsible for recommending provision of new traffic signals and new signal controlled pedestrian crossings, be this through new development funding associated with planning applications or LTP funding for transport strategy or road safety reasons.

At the time of writing the current Agency Agreement dates back to 2013 when Darlington Borough Council became part of the formal Agreement. In consultation with the other Tees Valley Authorities a review of the Agency Agreement has recently been undertaken. To summarise, the main changes contained within the new Agreement are as follows:-

• More information on call out response times
• Managing of UTC and UTMC equipment
• Collaborative working / funding streams
• Updated annual inspections and information sharing
• Definition of urgent / non-urgent faults and fault reporting
• Junction modelling / planning advice
• Lamp changes
• Update of office / out of hours contact details/protocols
• Switch off charges for authorities during normal office hours removed
• Agreement relating to police equipment housed on traffic signal street furniture

An annual survey is already undertaken by MBC to assess its performance. It is proposed that MBC will host a quarterly meeting with the other Tees Valley authorities to discuss any issues, ongoing schemes and so on. It is felt that there is currently close, collaborative working in relation to the areas covered by the Agency Agreement, as well as consideration of new facilities, detailed design, planning advice, liaison with contractors and provision of resources for events.

Resilience issues have been raised with MBC due to an ever increasing requirement for their services. Plans are now being progressed to alleviate this, which should increase resilience moving forwards.