A 20mph scheme using the exclusive Groundscrew innovation in Warrington Borough Council (WBC) has been shortlisted for two categories at this year’s Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) North West Branch Awards. 

WBC and appointed contractor JPCS, have been successful in reaching the shortlist for both the ‘Best Practice’ and ‘Safety Project of the Year’ categories.

The 20mph speed limit programme follows a successful 18 month pilot scheme, and is being rolled out over three phases across the majority of residential roads in Warrington, in an accelerated delivery programme of 3 years. 

At the end of the pilot scheme alone, WBC reported extremely positive outcomes, including an average reduction in vehicle speed of 1.45mph, a reduction of injury collision occurrence of 25.5 per cent, and an 86 per cent increase in positive feedback since the start of the pilot.   

JPCS’s innovative Groundscrew foundations have been used for approximately 50 per cent of the signs in the scheme. Groundscrew is an innovative, concrete-free foundation, which has enabled significant cost and construction time reductions, whilst improving quality, safety, and environmental outcomes. Typically, a sign installation takes 20 minutes, from arriving on site to leaving a completed sign in place, and signs can be moved or completely removed easily and safely. 

David Boyer, assistant director for transport and environment at Warrington Borough Council, said:

“This is a prestigious award and obviously we’re delighted that our scheme has been shortlisted. We’ve worked well with JPCS, and their innovative technology has helped us to save quite a lot of money. 

Most important of all, we’re pleased that the pilot scheme has had such beneficial results for the local community. Now we look forward to rolling out the rest of the scheme, which will help make Warrington’s streets even safer.”

Jenny Neville, director at highway maintenance and civil engineering contractor JPCS, said: “We are delighted that the 20mph scheme in Warrington has made the shortlist for the ‘Best Practice’ and ‘Safety Project of the Year’ categories at the North West CIHT awards this year. This is an extremely a worthwhile project from a safety and sustainability point of view and we are very proud to be part of it.

“The innovative Groundscrew concept, the hard work of our talented teams on the ground, and our partnership’s pioneering approach to the 20mph speed limit rollout has already delivered benefits to the council and the local community. As well as reducing costs by 50k – equating to 40 per cent of estimated costs in phase one alone – using Groundscrew has enabled the partnership to stay 6 months ahead of schedule, and we now expect all 20mph speed limits to be implemented by the end of 2014.

“With phase one now completed, we have been able to truly demonstrate best practice and the partnership’s commitment to excellence”.

The winners of the CIHT North West Branch Awards will be announced at the Branch Dinner on Friday 9th May, at The Park Royal Hotel in Warrington.