Transport for Buckinghamshire helping keep essential journeys going

To help all those making essential journeys across the county during the pandemic, Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB) has brought in changes to make sure that road repairs and maintenance can continue to be carried out.

Crucially this means that NHS, social care and hundreds of other key workers, together with the emergency services and those needing to make essential journeys, can do so safely. It also makes sure that much-needed deliveries can continue,particularly to support the most vulnerable.

This has however meant introducing stricter controls particularly on social distancing and hygiene. This includes using additional vehicles so workers can travel to site alone and staggering shift patterns to maintain social distancing at depots.

Buckinghamshire Council Executive Portfolio Holder for Transport, Mark Shaw, praised the way TfB had responded to the unprecedented situation. “Good roads help support all those making essential journeys around Buckinghamshire to help others during this crisis,” he said.

“It’s vital that this work continues and my thanks go to everyone involved for the way they have adapted.”

“With roads being quieter than usual we are also looking to bring some planned maintenance works forward so we can get them done earlier and quicker. It was only recently that we made more cash available for additional ‘plane and patch’ works following the wet autumn and winter weather and of course February’s storms. However, now is the time to see what more we can get done, although this will of course be subject to the availability of workers, materials and equipment.”

Mark added: “It’s more important than ever to show respect to our workforce if you see them out and about. They’re out there doing a fantastic job under difficult circumstances and I applaud them all.”

For more information please visit https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/service-changes/roads/